Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image in a physical form, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. The rendered composite image may be subjected to a varying field of illumination, generated, for example, by a switched sequence of individually activated, differing illuminants. This sequenced array of illuminants causes a corresponding sequence of source images to be recovered in rapid succession, thus imparting a sense of change, such as motion, between or within the recovered source images.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing, the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image in a physical form, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. A noise component is introduced in the encoding of the plurality of source images so as to mask at least one of the source images during spectral demultiplexing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible electrostatographic imaging member. The electrostatographic imaging member contains an optically transparent thermoplastic anti-curl back coating, which enables the imaging member to maintain desirable structural flatness, mechanical robustness, flexibility, longevity, and copy image qualities over extended use. The present invention also relates to a process of fabricating a flexible electrostatographic imaging member.

Abstract: A gray balancing technique wherein gray balancing curves are determined by interpolating the primary color data values of color samples to determine discrete combinations of primary colors that substantially match predetermined targets, and performing a curve fitting procedure on the discrete combinations of primary colors to produce gray balancing curves.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present application, an imager and method for detecting and locating rare cells in a sample is disclosed. An imager stage supports the sample. A fiber optic bundle has a proximate bundle end of first fiber ends arranged to define an input aperture viewing the sample on the translation stage. The fiber optic bundle further has a distal bundle end of second fiber ends arranged to define an output aperture shaped differently from the input aperture and disposed away from the imager stage. A scanning radiation source is arranged in fixed relative position to the input aperture. The scanning radiation source scans a radiation beam on the sample within a viewing area of the input aperture. The radiation beam interacts with the sample to produce a light signal that is reflected, scattered, transmitted, re-emitted, or otherwise collected and received by the input aperture and transmitted via the fiber optic bundle to the output aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus images a surface. An imager stage linearly translates the surface in a first direction. A fiber optic bundle has a first end of parallel first fiber ends defining a linear input aperture perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the surface, and a second end defining a generally circular output aperture. Each first fiber end optically communicates with the output aperture. A radiation beam linearly scans and interacts with the surface below the input aperture to produce a light signal that is collected by the input aperture and transmitted by the fiber bundle to the output aperture. A photodetector detects the light signal at the output aperture. A processor processes the detected light.

Abstract: A printing unit of a copying apparatus forms an image on a printing paper by way of an electrophotographing system in response to an operation executed with respect to a UI apparatus. A postprocessing unit of the copying apparatus staples a staple needle holding an IC chip to the printing paper on which the image is formed. Then, the postprocessing unit writes data input from the UI apparatus into the IC chip held by the staple needle.

Abstract: A Statistics Module (STS) is disclosed for collecting essential statistics about an image content for the purpose of applying various image enhancement operations such as page background removal and automatic neutral detection to determine if the page is gray or colored. The Statistics Module uses the blurred signal BLR from a De-Screen Module in order to eliminate some of the scanner noise. The output is a special 3D color histogram array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image on a substrate, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. The rendered composite image includes at least a first source image that is encoded and rendered with use of a selected colorant so as to be visually discernible on the substrate during a plurality of modes of intended illumination as a “background” image, and a second, “narrow band” source image that is encoded in the composite image so as to be recovered when illuminated by at least a selected of the plurality of modes of intended illumination that employs complementary narrow band illuminant.

Abstract: When a printing paper to which an IC chip storing secret information is attached is discarded, a shredder applied voltage to the IC chip by a discharging unit to destroy the IC chip and to make it impossible to read the secret information therefrom. Thereafter, a shredding cutter shreds the printing paper and the shred printing paper is discarded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrally-encoding plural source images and for providing the spectrally-encoded plural source images in a composite image, for rendering the composite image in a physical form, or for recovering at least one of the encoded source images from the rendered composite image such that the recovered source image is made distinguishable. Stereogram generation techniques can be employed to provide the image content of one or more stereogram source images encoded in the composite image. When the composite image is subjected to illumination by a narrow band illuminant, an observer can identify the pattern correspondence necessary for comprehending the image content of the stereogram source image.

Abstract: A gray balancing technique wherein color data values are modified only if the color data values include a gray component.

Abstract: An LED-based spectrophotometer uses a reconstruction algorithm, based on spectral information of an illumination source and a reference spectrophotometer, to convert integrated multiple illuminant measurements from a non-fully illuminant populated color sensor into a fully populated spectral curve using a reference database. A dynamic, Least Squares-based spectral reconstruction algorithm, used to reconstruct spectra, gives greater importance to the data from the reference database in the neighborhood of the color sample under measurement. This is done using linear operators.

Abstract: A method and Apparatus for protection of semiconductor micromechanical devices that use circuits with dynamic logic addressing is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fail-safe circuit is provided for an ink jet print head integrated circuit which prevents a catastrophic consequence of the dynamic logic addressed integrated circuit losing its charge.

Abstract: A manager issues a trap entry demand containing a self-address and effective time to an agent to be monitored, for entry therein, and issues a release demand or a time extension demand in response to a release validation demand. An agent receives a trap entry demand from the manager and enters an address of an object of trap and effective time into a database. Upon the occurrence of trap the agent refers to the database to issue a trap to a manager entered as the object of trap. When the effective time expires, the agent issues a release validation command. Receipt of a release demand as the response allows the agent to delete the entry of the object of trap. Receipt of a time extension demand allows it to update the effective time.

Abstract: A method of color image processing for mapping an input image from a full color gamut to a textured highlight color gamut includes defining an input color in a desired three dimensional color space by determining intensity values for a first color coordinate, a second color coordinate, and a third color coordinate. A halftone cell is partitioned into first and second regions such that the first region contains first pixels, and the second region contains second pixels. Based on the intensity values, a first number of first pixels are selected for rendering in a highlight color. The first number of first pixels are selected from all the first pixels in a first sequential order. Again based on the intensity values, a second number of first pixels are selected for rendering in a base color. This time the second number of first pixels are selected from all the first pixels in a second sequential order. Preferably, the second sequential order is opposite the first sequential order.

Abstract: An ink jet printer head and a piezoelectric actuator for the head, in which energy conversion efficiency from an electric energy to a mechanical vibration energy is high, and its mechanical displacement of a vibration transferring plate is large, are provided. An ink jet printer head having a piezoelectric actuator provides an upper electrode, a piezoelectric plate, a lower electrode, a vibration transferring plate, and a pressure chamber, whose shape is a rectangle and its length ratio of the short side to the long side is 0.8 or more and 1.0 or less. And the piezoelectric plate having the lower electrode is bonded to the vibration transferring plate at a position within the inside wall of the pressure chamber and the center positions of the piezoelectric plate and the pressure chamber are set to be almost equal. Therefore, the energy conversion efficiency of the piezoelectric plate can be utilized in its maximum, and the piezoelectric actuator whose mechanical displacement is large can be realized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for depositing marking material onto a substrate which comprises (a) providing a propellant to a printhead, said printhead having defined therein at least one channel, each channel having an inner surface and an exit orifice with a width no larger than about 250 microns through which the propellant can flow, said propellant flowing through each channel, thereby forming a propellant stream having kinetic energy, each channel directing the propellant stream toward the substrate, the inner surface of each channel having thereon a conductive polymer coating; and (b) controllably introducing a particulate marking material into the propellant stream in each channel, wherein the kinetic energy of the propellant stream causes the particulate marking material to impact the substrate.

Abstract: An independent hardware pixel counter counts bits of print data in regions of interest. The independent pixel counter can be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and is separate from a control processor. The independent hardware pixel counter selectively monitors a data bus carrying image data to or from a memory. Once the pixels of the image data have been counted, the count data can be sent to the control processor in order to implement a print strategy. The pixel counter counts the print data at a point when image data is being sent to the memory, since at that point the image data is both uncompressed and in a raster format, and thus can be easily analyzed. Additionally, because the image data is stored in the memory until enough print data has accumulated for printing, the processor is provided with sufficient time to gather and use print information before the counted image data is printed.

Abstract: A heat-resistant resin film having a metallic thin film accumulated thereon or an endless belt having a metallic thin film accumulated thereon having good mechanical characteristics is produced in a simple process. A metallic thin film is formed on an inner surface of a cylindrical substrate, and a layer of a heat-resistant resin is formed thereon. An accumulated body of the heat-resistant resin and the metallic thin film is peeled off from the substrate. The metallic thin film may be formed by electroplating, electroless plating or vapor deposition, or may also be formed by attaching a metallic foil having been prepared on an inner surface of the substrate. The heat-resistant resin layer is formed by injecting a polyamide acid solution in a rotational drum, and then formed by centrifugal forming by rotating the rotational drum on rollers under heating. After forming, imidization is conducted by heating and baking to form a film member of a thermosetting polyimide.