Abstract: A method of cleaning segmentation tags is disclosed. A method in accordance with the present invention receives a set of segmentation tags and identifies a connected component within the received segmentation tags. The connected component comprising segmentation tags of preselected image types. The method further includes compiling statistics for the connected component and generating a representative tag for the connected component based upon the compiled statistics. A system in accordance the present invention comprises a tag analysis module connected to receive segmentation tags and identify weakly connected segmentation tags within said received segmentation tags; a connected component generator identifying a connected component within the received segmentation tags and a tag generation module generating a representative tag for the connected component.

Abstract: A first aspect of the of the present invention is a system and method for classifying an input document based a segmentation tag statistics. The method includes receiving first pass segmentation tags for a plurality of pixels within a block of image data; determining an image type for the block of image data using statistics compiled from the first pass segmentation tags; and generating rendering tags for pixels within the block of image data as function of second pass segmentation tags and the image type. Beneficially, the image type identified for the block of image data is used to optimize the rendering process.

Abstract: A feed apparatus which combines a slider crank feed head drive system and cam actuated stack height sensing system to form a new combined shuttle feeder. The new feed head drive includes the replacement of a solenoid driven feed head with a more reliable stepper driven twin slider crank drive. Included in the slider crank drive for the feed head is an integral cam as part of the crank arm mounted to the motor shaft. This cam is designed drives a stack height sensor to drop and lift the stack height sensing arm to sense stack height after the sheet trail edge has passed the point of arm contact with the stack. The cam also provides a “service mode” position for the stack height arm which lifts it out of the way of the paper supply when it is opening. The cam dwells in a neutral home position during the rest of the drive out and return motion of the feed head.

Abstract: A compact rendering processor for processing image data including a multi-bit halftone region generates high addressability pixels. The compact rendering processor includes a tagging sub-processor operating on the image data to identify a target pixel and a neighboring pixel to determine a fill-order. The compact rendering processor also includes a rendering sub-processor that converts the target pixel into a high addressability pixel based upon the fill-order. Optionally, a diffusion sub-processor can be included to diffuse an error resulting from the conversion of the target pixel into a high addressability pixel to other pixels within the image data.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is a process for masking a scanning artifact within image data representing a document. The process includes generating pixel classification tags for the image data; identifying a window within the image data associated with a scanning artifact using the pixel classification tags; analyzing the image data to derive a replacement video value; and replacing image data associated with a scanning artifact with the replacement video value.

Abstract: A system and method classify a pixel of image data as one of a plurality of image types. A first image characteristic value for the pixel, a second image characteristic value for the pixel, a third image characteristic value for the pixel, and a fourth image characteristic for the pixel is determined. Some of these determinations may be resolution dependent. The values from these determination are utilized in assigning an image type classification to the pixel. Moreover, if at least one of the image characteristic values is greater than a predetermined threshold value the pixel is classified as a halftone peak value.

Abstract: A system and method for processing segmentation tags is disclosed. The system comprises a neighborhood analysis module, transition analysis module, and a tag cleaning module. The neighborhood analysis module generates a neighborhood block tag prediction from a block of segmentation tags having a first predefined relationship with a current tag. The transition analysis module generate a transition block tag prediction from a block of segmentation tags having a second predefined relationship with the current tag. The tag cleaning module modifies selected segmentation tags based on the neighborhood block tag prediction and the transition block tag prediction. The method comprises identifying a current segmentation tag to be cleaned; generating a tag prediction from a plurality of segmentation tags having a predefined relationship to the current segmentation tag; and generating a cleaned segmentation tag for the current segmentation tag based upon the current segmentation tag and the tag prediction.

Abstract: A process eliminates pattern shifting artifacts in a printed image rendered using a hybrid high addressable error diffusion process by perturbing a threshold/image signal value relationship when a multi-level grey level is binarized. The process utilizes a programmable multi-level grey signal modifying circuit for modifying the multi-level grey signal by a predetermined value according to its grey level. The modified multi-level grey signal is binarized to a binary pixel signal according to a relationship between the modified multi-level grey signal and a threshold value. The process further generates an error corresponding to the relationship and diffuses the error to neighboring pixels. The multi-level grey signal is modified with either random noise multiplied by a grey level dependent coefficient value. The coefficient value is dependent upon an image classification of the pixel being processed.

Abstract: A method of processing a high addressability binary image comprises converting the high addressability binary image to gray-scale image data; manipulating the gray-scale image data; and rendering the manipulated gray-scale image to a high addressability format using a compact rendering process.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for improving the appearance of electronic images, and more specifically, to the efficient use of template rotation within a template matching process to enhance such images. The invention reduces the number of entries that are stored in a look up table by eliminating identical patterns that differ only by the angle at which they are output. The appropriate templates are then rotated it by the required angle for output subsequent to their retrieval from the lookup table.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a circuit for driving control electrodes between a reset voltage and an adjustable extraction voltage. The circuit includes a reset switch having first and second terminals with the first terminal being connected to a high voltage source. A plurality of set switches, each capable of assuming an on state and an off state connected such that a first terminal of each set switch is connected to a corresponding one of the control electrodes and a second terminal is connected to a low voltage source. The circuit further includes a plurality of diodes, each being connected between the second terminal of the reset switch and a corresponding one of the control electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and circuit for driving control electrodes between a reset voltage and an adjustable control voltage. The circuit includes a reset switch capable of assuming a first state and a second state, the reset switch including a first terminal connected to a first voltage source; a plurality of diodes, each one of the plurality connected between a second terminal of the reset switch and a corresponding one of the control electrodes; and a plurality of voltage control switches, each voltage control switch being capable of assuming an active state and an inactive state, each voltage control switch including a first terminal connected to a corresponding one of the control electrodes and a second terminal connected to a second voltage source, wherein the extraction voltage supplied to a control electrode is adjusted by adjusting the length of time that the corresponding voltage source is made active.

Abstract: A method to compact a diffuse gray edge that is two pixels wide to a state where it is one pixel wide so that it may be well rendered with anti-alias rendering. The method identifies an observation window within continuous tone image data. The method then operates on the pixels within the observation window by: compacting horizontal features within the observation window; compacting vertical features within the observation window; and compacting corner features within the observation window.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for processing color image data to reduce intercolor bleeding in an image printed on a receiving medium. The method begins with the receipt of a target pixel that includes a plurality of separation pixels corresponding to individual color planes, the color planes including a black plane and at least one non-black plane.

Abstract: A fluid sealing device for sealing liquid within a conditioning system wherein the liquid is supplied through a fluid supply hose to a fluid reservoir defined by the area of contact between a transfer roll and a metering device which controls the amount of fluid supplied to the transfer roll. The sealing device includes a nozzle positioned at an end of the fluid reservoir to generate a first pressure at the end of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for processing color image data to determine if a target pixel is within a border region near an interface. The method begins with the identification of a target pixel within the color image data and then determines if the target pixel is a black or a color pixel. If the target pixel is a black pixel, the method collects a first set of pixel statistics from a first window comprising the target pixel and pixels surrounding the target pixel and analyzes the first set of statistics to determine if the target pixel is within an N-pixel wide black border region near an interface. If the target pixel is a color pixel, the method collects a second set of pixel statistics from a second window comprising the target pixel and pixels surrounding the target pixel and analyzes the second set of statistics to determine if the target pixel is within an M-pixel wide color border region near an interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing color image data for printing on an inkjet printer to maintain edge quality in an image recorded on a receiving medium. The method begins with the receipt of color image data comprising a plurality of color planes that combine to form an array of composite pixels, the color planes including at least one black plane and at least one non-black plane, wherein each color plane comprises an array of separation pixels, each separation pixel having at least two states, a first state corresponding to depositing no ink at an image location and a second state corresponding to depositing ink at an image location. The method then identifies an interface between an black area and a non-printed area; defines an N-pixel wide border within the black area; and modifies the color image data corresponding to the N-pixel wide border to reduce the number of second state separation pixels in a non-black plane.

Abstract: A stack height assembly consisting of two transmissive sensors and two flags, the stack height of a feeder module can be set to three different levels depending on the weight of the media. This “optimization” of the stack height to address the media's failure mode results in increased latitude. When feeding lightweight media, the stack height is set larger in order to increase the gap to the feedhead. This allows more room for separation of the media using fluffer jets. This increased gap also reduces the chances that the un-acquired media will be fluffed into contact with the acquisition surface and subsequently be shingle fed into the take away roll due to the friction between sheets. When feeding heavyweight media the stack height will be set smaller. This reduces the gap to the feedhead and reduces the time required to acquire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to device for feeding sheets seriatim from a stack. The sheet feed device includes a variable vacuum source being selectively actuable to acquire and release a top sheet from a stack; a feedhead, attached to the vacuum source to acquire the top sheet of the stack; a device to determine a plurality of predetermined properties of the sheets and to generate signals indicative thereof; and a controller to receive the generated signals and generate a signal to selectively control the vacuum source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing color image data to maintain edge quality in an image recorded on a receiving medium. The method includes receiving a target pixel comprising multiple separation pixels, each separation being associated with a separate color plane and having at least three states, a first state corresponding to depositing no ink, a second state corresponding to depositing one ink drop, and a third state corresponding to depositing more than one ink drop; determining if the target pixel is within a black border region near a black/non-printed interface; and if so, setting the separation pixel associated with a black color plane to a selected black pixel state.