Patents Assigned to Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
  • Metallic ink jet printing system for graphics applications
    Patent number: 7891799
    Abstract: A multi-phase system for creating a metallic effect on a substrate includes applying to the substrate a first ink jet ink having a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a suitable carrier system, to form a reflective coating layer; and applying a second ink jet ink over the reflective coating layer to form a protective coating layer. Optionally, an undercoat layer is printed on the substrate prior to applying the first ink jet ink. The second ink jet having at least one crosslinkable polymer or is otherwise energy curable. The second ink jet ink optionally imparts a color to the metallic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Edwards, Sandra Zinke, Joshua Samuel, Matthew Tennis
  • Methods and apparatus for calibrating a digital color imaging device that uses multi-hue colorants
    Patent number: 7889403
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating a digital color imaging device to a printing press by determining a total colorant limit, per-channel colorant limits, and channel linearization tables using colorimetric and/or spectrophotometric techniques. In addition, for digital color imaging devices that use multi-hue colorants, methods and apparatus are provided for determining distribution functions for the multi-hue colorants as a function of input values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Kühn, Samer Mady
  • Methods and apparatus for adaptive imposition templates
    Patent number: 7889361
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a print file having an actual page size, and a nominal imposition template specifying a nominal page size, and generating an imposition flat for printing. If the actual page size matches the nominal page size, the nominal imposition template is applied to the print file without change. If, however, the actual page size differs from the nominal page size, the nominal imposition template is automatically modified based on the actual page size, and then the modified imposition template is applied to the print file to create the imposition flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Puneet Goel, Vivek Tandon, Chueh Cheng Yang
  • Systems and methods for multiple raster image processing
    Patent number: 7884962
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for raster image processing are provided that include a networked computer coupled to a plurality of networked printers, the networked computer adapted to receive a print job, parse the print job into one or more print pieces, load balance the print pieces among the printers based on color use and print speed, and provide a list of the printers that received the print pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret Motamed, Ravi Someshwar, Chew Yan Kong, Ravindranath Gunturu
  • Methods and apparatus for watermarking digitally printed documents
    Patent number: 7880934
    Abstract: A form of stochastic random distribution is used to print an invisible watermark using a typical, e.g., 600 dpi, printer. The watermark contains such information as “Do Not Copy,” or other such information. Although the watermark is not visible on a first generation version of a document that is printed, various techniques are used to print the watermark in such a way that it becomes readily apparent when the first generation document is photocopied. The preferred embodiment of the invention is concerned with a technique for improving such techniques, for example so that gray levels are improved to address variations from printer to printer. Another preferred embodiment of the invention is also concerned with a technique for performing error diffusion watermarking without the need for performing a calibration step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Lai Chee Man
  • Methods and apparatus for print job submission
    Patent number: 7869079
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for submitting an electronic document to a printing system that includes a print controller having an input port and a print queue. Methods in accordance with this invention include coupling a portable media device to the input port, the portable media device including an electronic document and automatically copying the electronic document to the print queue. Apparatus in accordance with this invention include a portable media device that includes an electronic document. The portable media device is adapted to be coupled to the input port of the print controller, and the print controller is adapted to automatically copy the electronic document to the print queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: David Riesel, Fumiaki Okushi, Amit Jain
  • Methods and apparatus for parallel processing page description language data
    Patent number: 7861156
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a page description language (“PDL”) data stream are provided. The methods and apparatus divide the PDL data stream to provide a plurality of PDL segments, create associated first and second data files for each of the PDL segments, and assign the first data file or the second data file associated with each of the PDL segments to at least one of a plurality of PDL processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Wood, Boris Aronshtam, Sol Goldenberg
  • Methods and apparatus for analyzing electronic documents and digital printing systems
    Patent number: 7859689
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a PDL File that describes a print job, processing the PDL commands in the file, identifying print settings and printer factors that may affect the entire print job, and reporting such print settings and printer factors. Methods and apparatus are also provided for receiving a PDL File that describes a print job, processing the PDL commands in the file, identifying any objects in the print job that have associated predetermined attributes, and reporting the print objects that have any such predetermined attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michel, Jonathan Marsden
  • Image tiling in ink jet printing systems
    Patent number: 7859724
    Abstract: A system or method of removing whitespace between tiled or repeated patterns generated during a printing operation. The system takes an initial image and determines if there exist extraneous bits of whitespace around the edge of actual image. Once this information is established, the printer application program uses that information to alter the tiled output accordingly to produce a seamless image with repeated or tiled patterns of the actual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin J. Herrell
  • Image tiling in ink jet printing systems
    Patent number: 7859711
    Abstract: A system or method of removing whitespace between tiled or repeated patterns generated during a printing operation. The system takes an initial image and determines if there exist extraneous bits of whitespace around the edge of actual image. Once this information is established, the printer application program uses that information to alter the tiled output accordingly to produce a seamless image with repeated or tiled patterns of the actual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin J. Herrell
  • Methods and apparatus for secure document printing
    Patent number: 7849316
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securely printing a print job on a networked printer. An application program running on a networked computer instructs the printer to generate and exchange cryptographic keys. The application program then encrypts the print job using the keys, and then communicates the encrypted print job to the printer. The printer decrypts the received print job and prints the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Partelow, Mehran Farimani, Truxton Fulton
  • Methods and apparatus for secure document printing
    Patent number: 7831830
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securely printing a print job on a networked printer. An application program running on a networked computer instructs the printer to generate and exchange cryptographic keys. The application program then encrypts the print job using the keys, and then communicates the encrypted print job to the printer. The printer decrypts the received print job and prints the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Partelow, Mehran Farimani, Truxton Fulton
  • Ink jet printer
    Patent number: 7828412
    Abstract: An ink jet printer for printing on a substrate comprising a first print head outputting ink and defining an ink meniscus; a platen operable to carry the substrate; a support structure; and a print head mechanism coupled to the support structure and carrying the first print head. The print head mechanism moving the first print head relative to the platen. A controller controls the print head mechanism such that at least one of a predetermined acceleration and predetermined deceleration of the print head mechanism is achieved such that the ink meniscus is operably maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Edwards, John Hennessy, Frank Bruck
  • Methods and apparatus for automatic scanner calibration
    Patent number: 7812999
    Abstract: An automatic scanner calibration method and apparatus is disclosed in which a calibration target, such as a Kodak® gray strip, is attached to a scanning surface of a scanner. During a normal scan, the calibration target area can be ignored or scanned depending on user selection. If the calibration target is scanned, then the resulting information is used to calibrate the scanner automatically. Such calibration is more accurate than an older in time or preset default calibration. Another embodiment of the invention actuates a print of a printer calibration target on a printer on a scheduled basis. Thereafter, the user can take the printer calibration target and place it on the scanner and perform a calibration of a scanner/printer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Margaret Motamed
  • Methods and apparatus for mixed page imposition
    Patent number: 7800776
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for imposing multiple pages on a printable sheet, in which the multiple pages include pages of varying size. The printable sheet is divided into a plurality of slots, and each of the pages is assigned to a corresponding slot. User-specified settings are received for page alignment, offset and scaling for each of the slots, and the page alignment, offset and scaling of each of the pages are individually adjusted based on the user specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Puneet Goel, Vivek Tandon
  • Methods for print job monitoring
    Patent number: 7800773
    Abstract: A client print server link is provided, which uses two-way communication between a client computer and a printing system typically comprised of networked output devices and print servers. The client print server link provides detailed information regarding each print server and connected device within a printing system. The client print server link allows a client user at a client computer to access information and control each of their print jobs quickly and efficiently within a single application, without requiring the user to access a plurality of separate utilities. The client print server link groups and displays information that is relevant to print jobs sent by a single client user to connected print servers and output peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Richter, Rafi Holtzman
  • Method and apparatus for providing a color-balanced multiple print engine
    Patent number: 7791777
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Barry, Jack N. Bartholmae, Francis A. Rowe, Neal E. Tompkins, Peter A. Zuber
  • Sonic leak testing on ink delivery systems and ink jet heads
    Patent number: 7770999
    Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in an ink delivery system comprises providing an ink delivery system having a plurality of pipes, wherein the ink delivery system could potentially have an ink leak producing an audible signal. The method further comprises providing an ultrasonic detector operable to detect the audible signal and actuating the ultrasonic detector to detect when the ink leak is present by detecting the presence of the audible signal. Finally, the method comprises outputting a signal when the audible signal is detected to alert a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Edwards, Frank Bruck, John Hennessy
  • Methods and apparatus for converting color values
    Patent number: 7756346
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Falk
  • Methods and apparatus for determining a total colorant limit for digital imaging devices
    Patent number: 7742204
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating a digital color imaging device to a printing press by determining a total colorant limit, per-channel colorant limits, and channel linearization tables using colorimetric and/or spectrophotometric techniques. In addition, for digital color imaging devices that use multi-hue colorants, methods and apparatus are provided for determining distribution functions for the multi-hue colorants as a function of input values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Kühn, Samer Mady