Abstract: A laser imaging system and method. In an example embodiment, one or more laser diode arrays are associated with a digital micro-mirror device. A shutter-like device can be positioned upstream in the light path of the laser diode array (or arrays) such that the shutter-like device diverts energy out of the laser imaging system and away from the digital micro-mirror device during periods of extended non-imaging. A homogenizer module can be provided wherein the shutter-like device is located.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for error diffusion, e.g., for use in a halftone process. The described techniques are faster than known techniques in that they utilize fewer computations on average. Consequently, the described techniques can be more readily implemented in software, for example, though the described techniques are not limited to software.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a marketplace. A first price for one or more financial options associated with one or more software products is determined based on a pre-determined set of factors. The one or more financial options include at least an option of buying to lease the one or more software products. The first price for the one or more financial options associated with the one or more software products is modified based on the one or more financial options opted by one or more users.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an image-content dependent system for cutting a print in response to content of an image disposed on the print. The system includes a print cutter, a computer storage device, and a processing device. The print cutter cuts a print according to an image-content dependent cut pattern. The computer storage device stores image component metadata created from image content of an image disposed on the print to be cut. The processing device uses the image component metadata to generate the image-content dependent cut pattern to be used by the print cutter to cut the print.

Abstract: A process comprising: contacting at least one bio-based amorphous polyester resin with an optional plasticizer to form a pre-blend mixture; neutralizing the pre-blend mixture with a neutralizing agent; contacting the pre-blend mixture with a surfactant; melt-mixing the pre-blend mixture; contacting the melt-mixed mixture with de-ionized water to form an oil in water emulsion possessing a latex; and recovering the latex.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and a system implementing the method for billing using color pixel counting in documents or image in the contone domain. The method includes using the intensity or density levels (e.g., 0 to 255) for each color of each pixel of interest in the contone domain to calculate one or more probability values that one or more output colorants are provided at its location in the binary domain. The probabilities determined based on the contone color domain data are used to estimate an overall area coverage of color pixels in the document, which can be used to determine a billing structure or cost for outputting the document.

Abstract: A computer-based method for generating a compressed data stream, including using a specially programmed computer to: access a first compressed data stream including a first plurality of sequentially arranged frames including respective compressed frame data; access a second compressed data stream including a second plurality of sequentially arranged frames including respective compressed frame data; compare respective compressed data for sequentially matched pairs of frames in the first and second pluralities of frames; select, based on the comparison, common and unique portions in the first data stream; and select, based on the comparison, first and second portions in the second data stream, matched with the common and unique portions, respectively, in the sequence. The first portion has respective compressed frame data equal to the respective compressed frame data for the common portion.

Abstract: A viewport lens displays registered information registered using embedded data. An image capture device captures an image from the substrate that includes embedded data. The embedded data in the captured image is decoded to create information regarding the substrate, such as location, orientation, or a label. Based on the information regarding the substrate, information is generated that is registered with the substrate. In one embodiment, the information is registered with the substrate by optically combining the generated information with substrate information in a viewport lens.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic way to create background images from custom images, enabling cost efficient generation of highly customized products; such as advertisements, checks, greeting cards, stationary, clothing, passports, licenses, identification badges legal documents and legal tender; by generating intermediate image data by over-enhancing the sharpness of the custom image data and subsequently generating modified image data by reducing the sharpness, color and contrast of the intermediate image, whereby the resulting modified image is pleasing to the average consumer without interfering with the application of the product on which the background image is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting beam-to-beam spacing error on an image plane of a photoreceptor includes a controller which generates beam-to-beam spacing error correction signals, a plurality of optical elements, each of which is adjustable and responsive to beam-to-beam spacing error correction signal and a gray level measurement device. The controller performs the beam-to-beam spacing error correction analysis, determining whether or not a correction is necessary, and if so, which optical element to adjust and the magnitude of adjustment. Enhanced toner area coverage sensors are used to detect the gray level of a toned area of raster scan line patterns at various locations across the photoreceptor image plane. By repeatedly evaluating the beam-to-beam spacing error during operation, the apparatus of the invention is able to correct beam-to-beam spacing errors that may develop during operation and does not permit residual errors to persist even after an initial correction has been implemented.

Abstract: A display is provided with an insulative layer whose electrical properties have been selected so that the display can be addressed by the effects of triboelectrically generated charges and thus requires no stylus or special writing utensil. Thus, the display can be addressed by dragging a finger across the display. Alternately, the display is provided with an insulafive layer whoes electrical properties have been selected so that the display is addressed with a stylus and is immune from the effects of stray riboelectrically generated charges.

Abstract: A valve array for supporting objects such as paper with controlled fluid flow is disclosed. Optional valve arrays can be used to controllably eject marking agents for marking or coating a paper or other suitable substrate. Each valve in the valve array has one or more flap elements positioned in a valve chamber. These flap elements are movable to alternatively block the fluid flow through valve chamber outlets with the aid of various catch mechanisms for controllably latching the flap elements. The catch mechanisms have a disabled state and an activated state for holding and allowing release of the flap elements. Once the catch mechanism are disabled, the flap elements are free to move to another position, provided they can overcome the mechanical fluid flow forces that tend to hold it in position. To counter and utilize such forces for moving the flap elements, an impulse mechanism kicks the flap element into the valve chamber, away from the catch mechanisms.

Abstract: A flange holding apparatus composed of: (a) a head for engaging a flange; (b) a collar surrounding the head, wherein the collar extends along a portion of the length of the head, wherein the head and the collar define a gap therebetween and the head can move between a centered position and an eccentric position relative to the collar; and (c) a resilient member disposed in the gap, wherein movement of the head from the centered position to the eccentric position compresses a portion of the resilient member, whereby the compressed portion of the resilient member urges the head to return to the centered position.

Abstract: A fuser subsystem module for an electrophotographic printer or copier pivots open to allow access to the fuser nip and the stripper finger area. Mechanisms in the module cause the sharp stripper fingers to retract when the module is opened, and also enable a stripper plate against the pressure roll to be properly oriented against the pressure roll when the module is closed.

Abstract: A raster output scanning system is disclosed which modifies a train of pixel information used for modulating a light beam to improve the image contrast. In this invention, all the On pixels which have at least one transitional edge will be modified in such a manner that the pulse width of the modified pixels will be shorter than the allocated pulse width for each pixel and the pulse amplitude of the modified pixels will be higher than the amplitude of the unmodified pixels. However, the product of the pulse width and the pulse amplitude of the modified pixels are equal to the product of the pulse width and the pulse amplitude of the unmodified pixels. The modified train of pixel information of this invention creates an exposure profile on the photoreceptor plane with less smearing effect and less variation of the pixel width in accordance with the variation of the xerographic threshold.