Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus and an image processing method which are capable of correctly determining the scaling factor of an input image containing a specific image composed of a predetermined number of partial images. When an input image is inputted, the partial image detection unit 1 detects information about partial images. As information about partial images, information indicating whether partial images exist, the size of the partial images, and the like are outputted. The information about partial images is outputted for each pixel of an input image and a pattern composed of the information about partial images is obtained. The scaling factor estimation unit 2 uses a pattern composed of the information about partial images outputted from the partial image detection unit 1 to detect an area where a predetermined number of partial images exist, and determines the scaling factor of the input image from information of the area.

Abstract: A simplified color space transformation method uses a principal axis or dominating parameter in a first color space to determine the value of an associated axis in a second color space. Transformation curves relating the principal axis to the associated second space axis are predetermined and stored. Each curve describes the relationship between the principal axis and the associated axis given certain values for remaining, secondary or non-principal first color space axes. In operation the non-principal axes are used to calculate index values. For example, the non-principal values are quantized. The index values are used to access an appropriate curve. The principal axis value is used as an index into the appropriate curve. An image processor operative to perform the method comprises a transformation curve library.

Abstract: In a photosensitive scanning apparatus, in which a plurality of chips are aligned to form a single linear array of photosensors, gaps of unknown width between photosensors on adjacent chips may have an effect on resulting image quality. A set of simple strategies can be used to overcome the problem. In a first strategy, for each chip, interpolation of output values of the photosensors is used to in effect displace the outputs of the photosensors by a predetermined amount toward a gap; within constraints, the predetermined displacement can be used without actual measurement of any gap width. In a second strategy, an interpolated output of a theoretical “phantom photosensor” disposed toward the gap is added to the output stream from each chip.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making shaped optical moems components with stressed thin films. In particular, stressed thin films are used to make mirror structures.

Abstract: A process comprising: providing a moving substrate; applying at least one coating layer wherein the at least one coating Is a photoconductive material, an electrically insulating material, a hole transport material, an anti-curl material, or an adhesive material onto the moving substrate with a slot die coater equipped with at least one position sensor mounted on at least one end of the slot die coater, and for example, applying from one to about five coating layers on the substrate; sensing the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate with at least one position sensor; and, when the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate deviates from a set of predetermined coordinates, iteratively adjusting the position of the die coater relative to the surface of the substrate to return to the set of predetermined coordinates.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a raised print image by successively transferring foaming toner and non-foaming toner onto a recording medium in correspondence to print image information and heat-fixing onto the recording medium the foaming toner and the non-foaming toner that have been transferred onto the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes an image processing section that image-processes the print image information so that transfer of an image resulting from the foaming toner is selectively prohibited in correspondence to a line width or size of an image to be transferred by the non-foaming toner onto the foaming toner.

Abstract: A gray scale image processing method which converts an input image, each pixel of which has a value between 0 and N, to an output image, each pixel of which is represented by a gray scale value of A levels. The method has a generation step of generating B reference images, in each of which each pixel is represented by a gray scale value of the A levels, from B elementary images, in each of which all pixels have the same value between 0 and N, using one or more different error distribution matrixes according to said A levels, a selection step of selecting one of the B reference images based on a pixel value f(x,y) of the input image at coordinates (x,y) and an output step of outputting a pixel value represented by a gray scale value of the A levels of the selected one of the B reference images at a position corresponding to the coordinates (x,y).

Abstract: A method of driving an inkjet recording head designed to eject an ink droplet (67) via an ink nozzle (62) communicated to a pressure chamber filled with ink by generating a pressure wave in the pressure chamber by applying a driving voltage to a piezoelectric actuator of the inkjet recording head. The driving voltage waveform has a voltage rise portion (11) for contracting a volume of the pressure chamber (61) and a voltage fall portion (12) for expanding the volume of the pressure chamber. A rise time t1 of the voltage rise portion (11) and a voltage fall time t2 of the voltage fall portion 12 are set smaller than an inherent vibration period Ta of the piezoelectric actuator. An ink droplet having a smaller diameter can be produced, thereby improving the printing precision.

Abstract: A light source modulator and method of modulating a light source use a lower bandwidth input signal during rendering of image data, which is less susceptible to systematic error. The modulation scheme improves the efficiency of use of high speed memory by limiting a number of intensity level transitions to a single transition per output pixel. In conjunction with the limitation of transitions per rendering of each output pixel, data is provided to the modulator that indicates an intensity level to be provided by the modulator and a timing of a transition to that intensity level. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention, an intensity level may be a minimum intensity level, a maximum intensity level and at least one intermediate intensity level which is intermediate between the minimum and maximum intensity levels.

Abstract: An ink stick push block for use in a system for feeding solid ink sticks in a phase change printer, wherein each solid ink stick has an ink stick face surface having an ink stick face surface contour and an ink stick rear surface having a nonplanar ink stick rear surface contour, the ink stick push block. The push block includes an ink stick push block face having a nonplanar ink stick push block face contour, wherein at least a portion of the nonplanar ink stick push block face contour is the complement of at least a portion of the nonplanar ink stick rear surface contour.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of disposing a substrate having a conductive thin film and a photo-semiconductor thin film in this order on an insulative base in an aqueous electrolyte material that solubility is lowered by a change of pH, irradiating with light a selected region of the photo-semiconductor thin film and precipitating the material to the selected region of the photo-semiconductor thin film to form a micro-lens array layer.

Abstract: A printer system can be used for displaying and printing a print job, the print job including at least print job level properties and print job exception attributes. The printer system can include a display device that displays the print job, a memory that stores the print job and a controller that controls the print job displayed on the display device to display only the print job exception attributes of the print job that are different from the print job level properties. Moreover, a graphic user interface can be used for displaying a print job and can be used with a printer system. The graphic user interface can include a first window that displays the print job level properties of the print job and a second window that displays only the print job exception attributes of the print job that are different from the print job level properties.

Abstract: A recording medium supplied from any one of paper supply units 18a to 18d is printed by an image forming section 14, and then, the image-formed recording medium is transported via a transport path 32 which is formed along a vertical direction, and thereafter is ejected to an ejection unit 16 which is provided at an upper portion of an image forming apparatus main body 12. While a developing apparatus 60 of a process cartridge 64 owns a developer storage space 70, a latent image writing position “P” of an image carrier 44 optically written by an optical writing apparatus 58 is located lower than at least a portion of this developer storage space 70, and a space defined between the paper supply unit 18a and the optical writing apparatus 58 is made small.

Abstract: When user specifies a desired minimum font size through a host computer 2, and issues a print instruction to a printer 3, a recommended N-up number operating section 37 of the printer 3 performs an arithmetic operation to obtain a maximum N-up number with which font size not larger than the desired minimum font size are not included. A printing section 35 of the printer 3 prints the obtained N-up number of sheets of original document images on one sheet of paper.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging device for recording images across the entire visible spectrum includes a set of photosensors which have a peak response around the orange part of the spectrum, about 600 nm. The peak response is obtained by combining responses of, in one case, photosensors associated with a filter which admits red or infrared wavelengths and longer and photosensors associated with a filter which admits orange wavelengths and longer. In another case, the photosensor is structured to attenuate longer wavelengths, which, in combination with a filter which admits orange and longer wavelengths, can simulate a peak behavior around the orange part of the spectrum.

Abstract: When two or more sheets of images, which have been read from two or more sheets of originals are printed on a single sheet of first printing paper, original information related to the originals is stored into an IC chip attached to the first printing paper. Thereafter, when a user desires to reproduce the originals by using this first printing paper, the original information stored in the IC chip is read therefrom. Based on the read original information, the images read from the originals are printed respectively in the same sizes as those of the respective originals.

Abstract: Dynamic Color Render Dictionaries are provided to automatically switch color rendering behavior between object types. The implementation resides entirely within the Color Render Dictionary (CRD) and require no changes to the state of the Postscript interpreter (There are no required “C” code changes and Postscript operator redefinitions.) The different color rendering behaviors are accomplished by concatenating multiple color transform tables into a single/RenderTable within the CRD. The different rendering behaviors are accessible to single graphics state by simply accessing different regions of the /RenderTable. By having the color rendering behavior “switch” without changing the graphic state makes the implementation very fast. Since the entire implementation is limited to the Color Rendering Dictionary, dynamic CRDs may be implemented on any existing Postscript printer. Even on ones that have been in the field for years.

Abstract: A sheet lateral registration system, especially for high speed printer print media, which can also provide sheet deskewing as well as lateral sheet registration, having substantially increased lateral translation movement re-centering time for the lateral sheet registration system by utilizing at least two lateral shifting rollers having at least two different radii which provide automatic nip closings and openings in their rotations (relative to opposing idlers), with larger radius circumferential lengths coordinated to the downstream distance of the subsequent sheet acquisition system. Additionally disclosed are coordinated position non-slip sheet feeding nips which may be positioned in the paper path between these dual radius deskewing and lateral registration rollers and the image transfer station of the printer.

Abstract: A first developer storage unit 116a is provided under a horizontal line which is extended from a latent image writing position “P” where a latent image is written in an image carrier 44, and a developer-storing housing unit 70 is provided above the horizontal line extended from the latent image writing position of the image carrier. Since a stirring/transporting member is rotatably supported in a stirring/transporting member hole 115a which is formed in this developer-storing housing unit 70, a second developer storage unit is constructed.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible belt including: providing a flexible member; providing a work surface; forming the flexible member in a loop shape including an overlap region; positioning the overlap region of the flexible member in pressure contact with the work surface such that the photosensitive surface and the work surface is on the outside of the loop shape; positioning a welding tool on an inside surface of the loop shape of the flexible member opposite the overlap region; and ultrasonically welding the flexible member at one or more locations.