Patents Assigned to Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
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Patent number: 7081969Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for print load balancing, cluster printing and color and black-and-white page splitting. Print load balancing methods and apparatus route print jobs to the most available printer or split printing over more than one printer. Cluster printing methods and apparatus specify a group of printers from which a print job can be performed. Color and black-and-white page splitting methods and apparatus split a print job, and send non-color pages to black-and-white printers and pages with color to color printers.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Margaret Motamed, Ravi Someshwar, Ravindranath Gunturu
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Patent number: 7073901Abstract: A printing system that includes a source which emits UV radiation to polymerize a fluid that is deposited onto a substrate by one or more print heads. The source emits low energy UV radiation sufficient to set the fluid to a quasi-fluid, non-hardened state.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Mills, Michael D. Mills, Adam C. Lahut, Arthur L. Cleary, Joseph A. Lahut
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Patent number: 7058231Abstract: A plurality of compression schemes are provided that achieve improved compression ratios. A first embodiment provides for compression of each pixel by one of a plurality of different entropy-based compression schemes based upon a probability cost analysis. A second embodiment provides for compression of each pixel based on a hybrid context formed using a plurality of compression schemes for improved probability determination, and thus improved entropy encoding. In embodiments of the invention, a context compression scheme similar to JBIG is applied, as well as an inverse scheme. The context scheme forms a statistical context from a concatenated sequence of previous pixel values. The inverse scheme provides a gray value estimation method based upon previous pixel values and respective threshold values. Statistics are maintained with respect to the actual current pixel value and the difference between an estimated gray value and the current pixel threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Michael Alan Peters
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Patent number: 7054015Abstract: The conventional generation of original and design-change PPD files for printer drivers is tedious and prone to error as each version for a language-platform combination is constructed. The invention generates all the necessary PPD files for any needed platform/language combination from one or more base PPDs and one or more build files. A PPD generator draws on the information contained in the base PPD and build files to construct all the combinational varieties needed to support different languages and platforms, while providing an efficient and flexible environment for doing so.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Saeed Ganji
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Patent number: 7046391Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for color balancing page data, from a variety of input sources having non-consistent device color profiles, among a plurality of individually accessible print engines arranged in a system for color printing multiple copies of multiple page documents. Input page data is converted to a common color space, rasterized and routed to a selected print engine. Page data routed to each marking engine is color balanced to the selected marking engine where at least a portion of the color balancing occurs following the rasterizing of the page data.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1999Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Barry, Jack N. Bartholmae, Francis A. Rowe, E. Neal Tompkins, Peter A. Zuber
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Patent number: 7031015Abstract: This invention relates to variable data print job systems. In particular, this invention relates to variable data print job systems that reduce the master and variable jobs to a single job that does not require indefinite disk storage on a printer. A first part of the job contains the master data pages and a second part of the job contains the variable data. The print job is assembled and sent to the printer, which detects that the job is a two part job. The printer places the master data in the page buffer and copies it to another area of the page buffer so that a page of the variable data can be overlaid on the page buffer, which is then sent to the print engine for printing.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Ramgopal Vidyanand
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Patent number: 7027655Abstract: Methods and systems for compression of digital images (still or motion sequences) are provided wherein predetermined criteria may be used to identify a plurality of areas of interest in the image, and each area of interest is encoded with a corresponding quality level (Q-factor). In particular, the predetermined criteria may be derived from measurements of where a viewing audience is focusing their gaze (area of interest). In addition, the predetermined criteria may be used to create areas of interest in an image in order to focus an observer's attention to that area. Portions of the image outside of the areas of interest are encoded at a lower quality factor and bit rate. The result is higher compression ratios without adversely affecting a viewer's perception of the overall quality of the image.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Keeney, Thor A. Olson
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Patent number: 7027187Abstract: A method for modifying the rendered output of a marking engine for a print job in progress is disclosed, comprising the steps of comparing a sample rendered input image having included therewith a print target scale corresponding to a specified image parameter having a range of possible renderings set forth in a table, with a rendering included in the table and modifying, to match a desired rendering, numerical correction data in one or more look-up tables of a print adapter, which print adapter is coupled to a source of input image data for the print job in progress and having an output coupled to the marking engine. The modified input image data is transmitted to the marking engine for rendering the remainder of the print job.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Peter A. Zuber
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Patent number: 7023570Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation are provided that receive input data and desired and measured or specified output response data for a print output device, and determine converted input data that accounts for differences between the measured or specified and the desired output responses of the printer. Converted input data may then be provided to a conventional colorant limitation algorithm for performing colorant limitation. Colorant-limited input data are then de-converted by accounting for differences between the desired and the measured or specified output responses of the printer.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan B. Marsden, Dion Monstavicius
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Patent number: 7002700Abstract: A method and system for scanning documents in a network environment and merging the resulting scan files with other documents into a printing workflow provides a user interface in which the user merges a scan file and a document file on a page basis by selecting thumbnail images of the desired pages and dragging and dropping the thumbnails so that a new merged document results. An alternative embodiment allows the user to apply predefined merge templates to the selected pages. The predefined merge templates may include printing and formatting instructions such as color settings and a page layout. The system architecture provides a color print server and a client workstation in communication with the color print server. A scanning device, which may be a dedicated scanner or the platen of a copying machine is connected to the color print server or the client workstation.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2000Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Margaret Motamed
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Patent number: 6992792Abstract: A fully digital pulse width modulator substantially doubles resolution in a laser printer by outputting data to the laser on both the rising and falling edges of the clock cycle. A counter and the clock itself are used to select input to a multiplexer, and consequently, the data output to the laser from the multiplexer. A data selector code, generated by concatenating the binary value of the counter and the inverted clock bitwise, selects which of the 16 bits representing a pixel to place onto the data line, so that all 16 bits are output to the laser serially and sequentially in eight clock cycles. By using both the rising and falling edges of a clock cycle, the clock speed of the device is effectively doubled, without increasing actual clock speed. Device resolution is improved simply and inexpensively without major modification of printed circuit boards.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Marc Blumer
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Patent number: 6977752Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Barry, Jack N. Bartholmae, Francis A. Rowe, E. Neal Tompkins, Peter A. Zuber
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Patent number: 6978299Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for forwarding a print job over a communications network. In particular, the present invention enables a user to obtain print jobs at a location which may be unspecified, and which may be remote from the source of the print job. A print driver is provided which is capable of forwarding one or more print jobs over a network. The print driver may be interfaced with any suitable print job source (e.g., a client device capable of generating a printable document, such as a computer) to obtain a print job. The print job is forwarded from the print driver, over the network, to a spooling server. A printer polling device, which may be used at a location remote from the client device, is capable of polling a spooling server via the network to identify whether any print jobs associated with the printer polling device are available for printing at a printer currently associated with the printer polling device.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2000Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Philip A. Lodwick
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Patent number: 6974269Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for specifying media in cluster printing systems that include printers that use device-specific media selection techniques, such as paper catalogs, media tray pulldown menus and media attribute pulldown menus. A universal media selector is provided that includes a universal paper catalog, an editor, a paper catalog translator and a tray associator. The universal paper catalog is a two-dimensional array that includes one or more entries that associate a media label with corresponding media attributes. The editor may be used to create, import, export and edit paper catalog entries in the universal paper catalog. The paper catalog translator is a two-dimensional array that may be used to translate attribute labels and associated values in the universal paper catalog to corresponding attribute names and associated values used in device-specific paper catalogs of printers included in the cluster printing system.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Pierre Lermant, Nick Hatzel
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Patent number: 6967728Abstract: A system is provided for supporting multiple platforms with common personal preferences for printer drivers. The set preferences for the printer driver are therefore reusable and may be moved from one driver to another. The system involves the provision of a common format for printer driver preferences. When a new printer is brought to a system or a user moves to a station that uses a different printer, the preferences are readily moved to that location. Further, an MIS department may provide a corporate wide printer preference solution, for example for printing a particular page or printing in a particular style. The preferences may not be identical for each printer due to differences in the capabilities of various platforms. The printer preferences overwrite a default value in printers with preferences, to the extent that each printer has the options available. To the extent that these options are not available, the printer reverts to its default setting.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1999Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Ramgopal Vidyanand
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Patent number: 6962449Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for specifying media in cluster printing systems that include printers that use device-specific media selection techniques, such as paper catalogs, media tray pulldown menus and media attribute pulldown menus. A universal media selector is provided that includes a universal paper catalog, an editor, a paper catalog translator and a tray associator. The universal paper catalog is a two-dimensional array that includes one or more entries that associate a media label with corresponding media attributes. The editor may be used to create, import, export and edit paper catalog entries in the universal paper catalog. The paper catalog translator is a two-dimensional array that may be used to translate attribute labels and associated values in the universal paper catalog to corresponding attribute names and associated values used in device-specific paper catalogs of printers included in the cluster printing system.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Pierre Lermant, Nick Hatzel
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Patent number: 6956966Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically correcting colors in digital image space comprises taking an image file of the object using a digital device, such as a digital camera or scanner. One embodiment of the invention involves registering to obtain access to a profiling software. When registered, one obtains a target test sheet and accompanying manuals. The registration itself involves using a password or access code for using the software on the computer. The profiling software checks the image file generated from the printer or the digital camera and compares it to the photograph of the target test sheet under specific lighting conditions. The profiling software specifically checks the submitted object file for orientation, alignment, color intensity, and hue with respect to the target test sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.Inventor: John Steinberg
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Patent number: 6950110Abstract: Color conversion apparatus and methods are provided for converting a first color value, such as an RGB, L*a*b* or XYZ color value, to a second color value, such as an RGB, CMY, CMKY, L*a*b*, L,C1C2, or XYZ color value, without saturation error.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventor: Richard Falk
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Patent number: 6930795Abstract: The invention provides a printing method and apparatus, comprising a software application that works with proprietary printing utilities, and that may include one or more additional software components for adding additional printing technology. The invention also comprises an automatic print load-balancing component in a centralized or distributed raster image processing (RIP) printing environment that enables faster system performance over single or multiple processors.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Margaret Motamed, Ravi Someshwar, Chew Yan Kong, Ravindranath Gunturu
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Patent number: RE38732Abstract: A image is printed from a source of drawing instructions. The image is reducible to pixels arranged in a plurality of ranked image lines. The system employs a storage device having compressed and uncompressed regions. Each region has a designated capacity and each is arranged to store pixels of one or more of the plurality of image lines. A drawing processor is coupled to the storage device and can be coupled to the source of drawing instructions for responding thereto. This drawing processor can store new pixels in the storage device for successively selected ones of the image lines. The drawing processor has a conditional device, a decompression device and an insertion device. The conditional device can compressively encode and move from the uncompressed region to the compressed region, a remote one of the image lines, if: a) the selected one of the image lines is in the compressed region, and b) the uncompressed region has reached its designated capacity.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Wood, Stephen Kochan