Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securely transmitting and processing digital image data for display. The invention provides for decomposing, compressing, and scrambling digital image data and forwarding the decomposed, compressed and scrambled image data to a destination where the image data is decompressed, re-composed, and descrambled prior to display. In particular, digital image data is scrambled before or after being compressed and is subsequently descrambled after being decompressed and prior to display such that unauthorized use of the image content is prevented. The invention can be used in conjunction with most standard block-based image compression algorithms such as JPEG as well as some types of wavelet transform based systems.

Abstract: A digital spread spectrum system provides a simple, digital device and method for reducing electromagnetic interference even where a clock signal to the device is rapidly turned on and off. A primary clock signal drives a signal selector. A signal delay is provided in the circuit to provide delayed clock pulse signals. The signal delay detunes the primary clock signal. By repeatedly switching the delay in and out of the clock signal path, a first signal is generated having a frequency at or about the clock signal, and, a second signal is generated which is displaced slightly from the first signal, but still at or about the clock frequency. By repeatedly switching the delay in and out of the primary clock signal path at a rate greater than the frequency of the clock signal, smaller portions of each primary clock pulse may be parsed for subsequent reaggregation to create a spread spectrum clock signal.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing printing services over a communications network. In particular, the present invention enables a user to obtain print jobs at an unspecified location which may be remote from the source of the print job. A spooling server is used to store a print job received via the network from a print job source. A printer polling device is capable of polling the spooling server via the network to identify whether any print jobs associated with the printer polling device are available for printing at an associated printing device. The printing device may be assigned a unique identification number enabling a print job to be forwarded directly from a facsimile machine to a printing device, without a computer in between the printing device and facsimile machine.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reconstructing digitized images processes one or more color formats, e.g. contone or 1-bit, and readily operates with both single and multiple scan systems. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides an image reconstruction path that receives a digitized image, e.g. from a scanner or from memory. The output of the image reconstruction path is a processed RGB or CMYK image that may be printed or stored in memory. The image reconstruction path itself is configured to operate in either of a multiple or single scan environment if the source of the digitized image is a scanner. Within the image reconstruction path there is a plurality of functional units that can be controlled by user or internal controls, or that can be optionally bypassed.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded. The invention uses a trampoline-type arrangement that suspends a stack support platform by springs around its perimeter from a frame removeably attached to the copier. As copies accumulate on the platform the weight of the copies causes the springs to stretch and increases the capacity of the output tray. The springs act as energy-storing biasing elements which return the platform to its unloaded position when the stack of copies is removed from the tray, and may also act as variable length alignment surfaces to keep the accumulating stack neat and square.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for using ultrasound to measure speed and acceleration in fluids is provided. Three preferred embodiments are disclosed. The first preferred embodiment measures fluid velocity, such as, for example, wind, under standard atmospheric pressure-temperature. The second preferred embodiment measures gas velocity, such as, for example, wind, affected by and automatically calibrates for pressure-temperature. The third preferred embodiment measures gas density, such as, for example, density altitude. Applications of the invention include wind direction and speed calculation in agriculture, aviation, hydraulics, and other industries. One of the advantages provided by the invention is there are no moving parts in making such measurements.

Abstract: A multiple raster image processor (RIP) system is described that enables faster system performance over multiple processors, and includes a zero RIP feature consisting of a language interpreter sub-RIP that interprets a print instruction file but does not process the graphics rendering steps or the post-language processing operators. A skip RIP interprets selected pages in a way that skips all or most of the processing for that page. Pages to be skipped are scheduled for a different processor, thereby saving processing time and enabling the provision of a multiple processor RIP.

Abstract: A tray alignment calibration page and method and apparatus using the page are provided. The page has graduated scales along horizontal and vertical edges, such that the scale values are enterable into an interface to align an image to be printed centered on a target page.

Abstract: A method embodiment of the invention tests revisions made to printer graphics interpreter software. A test suite of POSTSCRIPT, PCL, or other high-level printer language is input to a production version of a printer's internal interpreter software. A first bit-map is generated by the interpreter that is normally used to control each pixel in the printing of a page. The same test suite is fed to a work-in-progress revision of the printer's internal interpreter software. A second bit-map is generated. The first and second bit-maps are subtracted from one another. A difference bit-map is inspected. If only minor shifts of objects are noted, or if no differences at all are apparent, the work-in-progress revision is accepted as the new production standard. The second bit-map is used to replace the first. Otherwise, the work-in-progress revision of the printer's internal interpreter software is reworked to correct the printing interpretation errors it was making.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which configures a printer for printing ordered stock by using a template. The template has various parameters which the user inputs. Examples of input parameters involve the printing of tabs. A user inputs tab parameters such as the number of positions, text offset per tab, tab media size, text rotation, document reading order, tray source, tab font size, tab font type, tab sheet location and tab text. Templates can be saved and repeatedly used. A user can save and create new templates or edit previously created templates.

Abstract: A portable video conference module supporting a network-based video conference comprising a processor, a video camera, and audio input device and several interfaces coupled to the processor. The processor includes a local instruction processor accessing a local non-volatile memory. The interfaces include a wireless data capture interface, a video display interface, an audio output interface and a network interface.

Abstract: A variable data print job system that reduces the master and variable jobs into a single job sent from the client to the printer that does not require indefinite disk storage on the printer. The first part of the job contains the master data pages and the 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. It places the master data in the page buffer and copies it to another area of the page buffer so a page of the variable data can be overlaid onto the page buffer and is then sent to the print engine for printing. This process is repeated for each page of variable data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for employing print mode techniques to optimize image quality, throughput speed and reliability, including generating pseudo-random printmasks to minimize banding, bleeding, blocking, and other undesirable printing artifacts, and combining random selection of a pass number for printing each pixel of a printmask with application of various constraints. In combination with other aspects of the invention, speed is optimized by depositing substantially a single drop of ink per pixel, thereby minimizing both the number of passes required to render all pixels completely and drying time. Image quality is optimized by maximizing the time and distance between deposition of individual ink drops, thereby minimizing coalescence, bleeding, cockling, blocking, pen temperature, and pen-firing frequency which affect uniformity and consistency of ink drop size.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for correcting spectral measurements, such as are obtained by a spectrophotometer for measuring color. A single matrix is used that operates on a raw measurement vector (spectrum) to obtain a corrected spectrum. The matrix may embody a transform that minimizes the difference between the corrected spectra and a set of reference spectra. The difference may be characterized by a set of basis function weighting vectors which are then used to build the correction matrix. Correction of high resolution spectra (very long measurement vectors) is thereby allowed, without the large number of measurements that would normally be required. The reference spectra can be calibration data, or measurements made by another instrument which is desired to be simulated.

Abstract: A method and system of print job processing initiated by a client communicating-computer communicating with a printer server system comprising operations performed by the client communicating-computer including a rip pre-processing operation.

Abstract: A process for formatting printable information orders selected data objects, document pages or images, to create a new document, where pages may be of uniform dimension and page orientation or varying in one or both of dimension and page orientation. Groups of pages are imposed on sheets so that the sequence of the printed pages matches the page sequence of the created document after post-printing processing. A method of imposing the differently shaped and sized printable pages on sheets divides an image of a sheet into separate slots and places a page into each slot by placing an image of the page in each slot. Alignment, offset and scaling settings are applied to individual slots, rows, columns or all slots. A variety of other layout and job options are set before printing. In a distributed system, the software, accessible from any workstation, is housed on a server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to smooth a jagged outline of a reconstructed text generated through any of a variety of systems, such as, for example, an image scanner. Given the reconstructed text with a jagged outline, the methods smooth the outline of the text first through location of horizontal and vertical edges, and subsequent gray scale reconstruction of the edge ink level from a one-bit or a low number of bits edge pattern. The methods then provide identification of the local text outline pattern and corresponding ink level adjustment of the center pixel. The methods produce text having very smooth horizontal and vertical edges. The methods then smooth slanted edges, mend holes in the text, and remove isolated pixels of ink.

Abstract: A system and method for performing regression testing on software programs that produce printed output. An original version of a software program resident on a computer is issued known commands to generate a reference display list known to produce a known correct or reference printed page. A bitmap of the reference page is not generated. The reference display list includes image, graphic and text objects described by various attributes. A second modified version of the software program is loaded on the computer and issued the same set of known commands. The second software program generates a second is display list. A display list regression testing software module compares the second display list to the reference display list and identifies any differences by object type and attribute. Hence, incorrect results may be isolated to specific objects and more easily debugged in the source code of the software program. Visual comparison of actual printed output is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting spectral measurements, such as are obtained by a spectrophotometer for measuring color. A single matrix is used that operates on a raw measurement vector (spectrum) to obtain a corrected spectrum. The matrix may embody a transform that minimizes the difference between the corrected spectra and a set of reference spectra. The difference may be characterized by a set of basis function weighting vectors which are then used to build the correction matrix. Correction of high resolution spectra (very long measurement vectors) is thereby allowed, without the large number of measurements that would normally be required. The reference spectra can be calibration data, or measurements made by another instrument which is desired to be simulated.