Abstract: A multi-function peripheral device for producing output images. The device includes a scanning system for creating a scanned input image, a camera for creating a captured input image, a controller for receiving at least one of said scanned input image and said captured input image, and a printing system for producing an output image rendered by said controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling messages in a software system. The method activates a report-handling module when a subroutine has a message to send. The subroutine passes an identification to the report-handling module. The subroutine then passes a message and message level to the report handling module. The report-handling module then determines the message level to be reported for that subroutine, the process from which that subroutine is sending messages and the message level to be reported for that process. If the message level of the message compares correctly to the message level of the subroutine and the process, the message is reported.

Abstract: A method for altering the operation of a printer driver. A printer driver initially creates a database file. During operation of the printer driver, it accesses the database file and searches for the application that called the printer driver. If the application name is located under a heading in the database file, the printer driver modifies its operation in accordance with the heading.

Abstract: A method for color misregistration detection. Input image data is buffered and transferred to vector space. An examination window for a current pixel is established and foreground and background pixels within that window are selected. The current pixel is examined to determine if it is in an edge of a scanned object. If the current pixel is in an edge, it is analyzed for color misregistration. The analysis includes an application of Stokes' theorem. If the results of the application of Stokes' theorem indicate that the color misregistration is above a threshold, the pixel is identified as having color misregistration.

Abstract: A method for error diffusion in digital printing. The method selects a base threshold value for printing of digital data, determines an offset value, and then calculates at least two threshold values from the base threshold value and the offset value. The thresholds are applied to the image along directional guided threshold lines, with each set of lines for each color having a unique angle to the lines for the other colors. The error diffusion process does not result in objectionable artifacts.

Abstract: A method for retrieving relevant stories from a collection of stories. The method comprises the steps of identifying at least one query term, applying a cooccurrence matrix to the query term to provide a list of query terms, determining if a story in the collection contains any terms on the list of query terms, and then increasing a relevance measure if the story does contain words on the list of query words. If the relevance measure is higher than a threshold, the story is added to a list of relevant stories.

Abstract: A method for extending bit-depth of display systems. The method includes the steps of measuring the static display noise of a display device, using the display noise to create pseudo-random noise and subtracting the pseudorandom noise from a contone image. After the noise-compensated image data is quantized and displayed, the noise in the display device will substantially convert the noise-compensated image data back to contone image data with few or no contouring artifacts. Other embodiments include using the inherent noise of the human visual system instead of the static display noise, or both. Specific adjustments can be made to the noise of the human visual system for color displays.

Abstract: A method for compression and decompression of image data. The data is received as an initial image at an encoder. The encoder compresses the data by performing a spatial frequency decomposition on the image data, modifying selected frequency band images produced by the decomposition by applying a non-linear transformation, quantizing the results and compressing them into a bit stream. The data is then transmitted to a decoder that reverses the process.