Patents Examined by Arthur G. Evans
  • Patent number: 6476925
    Abstract: A system and method of printing documents having merged text and graphics is presented which overcomes the Z-order problem of merging text and graphics on a raster printer and which enhances printing performance. The system and method analyze a location of the text and graphics elements to be printed to determine if and where any potential merging problems exist. In these regions, the system and method selectively redraws the text as part of the merged bitmap graphic. The remainder of the text on the document is printed with device resident fonts, either directly or through downloading the device font, if possible. This greatly enhances printing performance. If the text information is not supported or supportable by a device font, the text elements are drawn as bitmaps to be printed by the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amanda Nguyen, Ganesh Pandey, Alvin Scholten, Zhanbing Wu, Eigo Shimizu, Peter Wong
  • Patent number: 6476929
    Abstract: The contents of memory cards on each of which are recorded image files and an order file storing orders for printing images are integrated on a magneto-optic disk. In a file integrating mode, a memory card directory is generated for every memory card on the magneto-optic disk. The images files and order file that have been recorded on a memory card are copied to the magneto-optic disk while the directory structure of the memory card is maintained in such a manner that the image files and order file will be registered in the directory of this memory card. Information that is contained in the copied order file is written to an integrated order file. The content of an order for printing an image can be ascertained by checking the content of the integrated order file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6476931
    Abstract: A method of generating a printer-ready representation of a page from a collection page elements and a first set of page assembly instructions, when a portion of the page assembly instructions refer to the page elements, includes the steps of comparing the first set with at least one previously stored set of page assembly instructions, assembling the collection and the first set in accordance with the result of the step of comparing, thereby generating the printer-ready representation of the page, and storing the first set and the printer-ready representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Creoscitex Corporation Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacob Aizikowitz, Israel Roth, Evgeni Droi, Eli Bitan
  • Patent number: 6473195
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an engine for forming an image corresponding to received video data on a sheet of paper, a main frame buffer memory, an auxiliary frame buffer memory for outputting stored video data along a data transmission path to the engine according to a video clock sync signal, and a first signal when a lower level correspondingly set to at least some amount of the stored video data is reached and a second signal when the stored data reaches a set upper level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-su Yun, Yong-Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 6473194
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a storage unit such as an electronic sorter unit is attached is designed to more reliably prevent output of an image that is prohibited from being copied. An electronic sorter unit attached to the image forming apparatus has an external storage unit for storing image data. It is determined whether an image represented by the image data is a copy-prohibited image. Determination information representing the determination result is stored in the external storage unit in correspondence with the image data. The digital image processing unit permits formation of only an image represented by image data that is permitted by the determination information to be copied. When the electronic sorter unit is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, power to the nonvolatile memory is interrupted, and the stored contents volatilize. When the apparatus is started up, the contents of the nonvolatile memory are checked to determine whether the unit is detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Sakai
  • Patent number: 6473193
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus divides an address space in which input image data are arranged into a plurality of blocks and can change a block from which reading of the image data in each line is started and a data reading start address in each block, so that an output image to an input image can be processed or corrected freely or deviation of the output image to the input image can be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Itoh
  • Patent number: 6469801
    Abstract: A scanning device includes an automatic document handler for stream feeding in serial fashion hard copy original pages to a platen or scanning station to be automatically read by the image scanner into electrical signals or data. The raw image data is stored in a memory buffer. An operator may use the data in this buffer to scale the image electronically before using the image for further processing, such as printing or publishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Telle
  • Patent number: 6466326
    Abstract: Print requests issued by an interpretation section 13 are stored in an execution or wait queue of a storage section 21 by way of a print request receiving section 22. The print requests stored in the execution queue are input to an engine control section 15. When a report of completion of printing is issued by the engine control section 15, the print requests for which printing has been performed are deleted from the execution queue. In a case where collation printing is specified for the print requests, the print requests for which printing has been performed are transferred from the execution queue to the collation queue and stored therein. Every time one copy of the print job is completed, the print requests stored in the collation queue are again transferred to the execution queue. Collation printing can-be embodied by transfer of the print requests between the execution queue and the collation queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Shima
  • Patent number: 6462829
    Abstract: The method of the invention determines conditions for a processing able to be carried out on data of a document, by at least one input/output means. It includes: an operation of determining at least one symbol scatter quantity related to the said document, an operation of comparing each said scatter quantity with predetermined values, and a configuration determination operation during which the result of each said comparison is taken into account in order to determine the configuration of the input/output means intended to implement this processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Europa N.V.
    Inventors: Stephane Amarger, Felix Henry
  • Patent number: 6456389
    Abstract: A digital image printer that performs bit rotation and row alignment in preparation for final image reproduction. The present invention combines the two digital image data processing functions of bit rotation and row alignment into a single functional step. The two functions are performed simultaneously, in that, while row alignment is being performed during the deposition of a portion of the digital image data into a certain portion of a group of memory buffers, bit rotation is performed by extracting another portion of the digital image data from another portion of a group of memory buffers. The present invention reduces the number of required digital image data memory buffers required to perform the two functions of bit rotation and row alignment from conventional systems that perform the two functions sequentially and utilize a direct memory access channel to perform the data transfer between integrated circuitry that performs the two functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Viewahead Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Danjie Pan, Chong-Hing Cheung
  • Patent number: 6456392
    Abstract: The process described below is performed to output high-quality images without changing the resolution of the printer used. A binarizing step using such a frequency modulation (FM) technique as error diffusion is performed. at a resolution higher than that which, can be output from the printer. A screen or grid corresponding to the resolution of the printer is superimposed on the binarized data. A size of a dot to be printed by the printer is obtained from the number of dots (or data indicative of a “1”) contained in one square of the screen. Then the diameter of the dot is modulated while an image data is output depending on the resolution of the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Asano
  • Patent number: 6456390
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device, an image processing method, and a recording medium that supply the intermediate code image data generated for each band to the hardware rendering mechanism at high speed and enhance the efficiency of a memory in use. In the image processing device, a host processing unit receives and interprets incoming PDL data, creates intermediate code image data for each band, and supplies it to an intermediate code image data holding block management unit. The intermediate code image data holding block management unit reserves intermediate code image data holding areas on the memory, and stores intermediate code image data holding blocks and management information in the areas with continuous addresses. The management information is rewritten into descriptors, which are supplied to a DMA controller, and the intermediate code image data is sequentially transferred to a rendering unit by the chained DMA transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okubo, Kazuhito Konno
  • Patent number: 6456391
    Abstract: The printer receives image data representing multiple images from a storage medium and produces an index print, on which thumbnail pictures representing the images are arranged in the form of a matrix. While looking at the index print, a user selects a desired picture and puts a mark on the index print with a pen, etc. at a position corresponding to the selected picture. The marked index print is inserted into the printer through a paper feeding inlet, and photo-reflectors detect the position of the mark while the index print is transported by means of a transport system, which is also used during the printing. The picture selected by the user is determined with the detected position of the mark, and the image corresponding to the selected picture is printed in a full-size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Miyamoto, Izumi Miyake
  • Patent number: 6452690
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image reading device for reading an image to generate image data; a memory capable of writing and reading data in parallel, for storing the generated image data; an image forming device driven by a scan-writing clock having a frequency different from that of a reading clock of the image reading device for reading the image data stored in the memory, thereby to form the image; and a timing control device for shifting a timing for writing the image data in the memory from the image reading device and a timing for the image forming device to read the image data from the memory, and for controlling the image forming device to continuously read the image data in a predetermined quantity from the memory. The image reading device writes the image data in the memory at a unit of data in the predetermined quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6452696
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing the output of multiple light sources used to expose a photosensitive material to print high quality continuous tone and/or color images. Each of the multiple light sources is driven by a different signal weighted to cause all of the light sources to output light of intensity appropriate to produce a uniform image density over a wide range of image densities. In a preferred embodiment, each light source is driven by a different digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and/or timer circuit. A control processor supplies a multibit correction value tog each DAC and/or timer circuit to supply a drive signal to its associated light source weighted to cause all of the light sources to output light of substantially uniform intensity at a certain intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Zbe Incorporated
    Inventors: Zac Bogart, Brian Hart, James Browning
  • Patent number: 6449056
    Abstract: A digital copier has a memory for storage of image data, reads image data and stores the image data in the memory, and prints an image depending on the image data stored in the memory. The digital copier can also register a plurality of jobs. Based on a registered job an image is printed. Then, based on the subsequent job an image is printed. When an image data corresponding to a new job cannot be stored in the memory, the digital copier effects the process for calculation of job execution time, a process of calculating a free memory capacity, and a process of calculating the time required for obtaining a timing at which a free memory space is provided, to display the time at which the image data corresponding to the new job can be stored. Thus, a digital copier can be provided allowing the user to form images efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Mishima, Yoshikazu Ikenoue
  • Patent number: 6449057
    Abstract: An image data addressing system for a digital image printer operates on a plurality of image data having a horizontal format. Ink jet type digital printers require the alignment of the image data in a horizontal fashion to accommodate the vertical, mechanical arrangement of the ink jet nozzles. A program adapted to the specific components, circuitry and other characteristics of the digital image printer performs data addressing on the image data for preparation for ink jet firing by the ink jet nozzles. A common, integrated memory is used to perform the image data processing of the plurality of image data. The digital image printer adaptable program governs the storing of the image data so that it is adaptable to the specific components, circuitry and other characteristics of the digital image printer. An unused, consecutive portion of the integrated memory is provided at certain times during the image data processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ViewAhead Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Danjie Pan, Chong-Hing Cheung
  • Patent number: 6449059
    Abstract: In the controller I/F, the LSYNC thinning section converts the resolutions of the image data received from the printer section by thinning out a line-synchronizing signal /PMSYNCIN input from the printer section according to pre-set resolution and sends the signal to the external device as a thinned line-synchronizing signal /POPMSYNC. The input buffer once stores the image data transmitted from the external device in synchronism with /PILSYNC which is the same cycle as that of /POPMSYNC. When reading out the image data from the input buffer, identical data is repeatedly read out according to the set resolution. Even if the printer section receives an image data having a different resolution from the external device, there is no need to change the image-formation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichiroh Asada
  • Patent number: 6445458
    Abstract: Using the concept of off-screen rendering, a Unicode encoding value for a non-Latin1 glyph is converted into a bitmap image using Java™ in order to print glyphs that are not supported by a printer. The method uses the JDK application information together with the platform specific operating system's information to perform a non-operating system specific rendering or generic rendering of the non-Latin1 Unicode glyphs for use in printing the glyphs. This solution is glyph-based instead of font-based and works within the confines of Java™ classes and methods. It is primarily an extension of the Java language that exposes a host font manager, such as a TrueType™ font engine, in such a way as to bring the bitmap of a glyph into an application or applet executing on the virtual machine. The bitmap of the glyph may then be printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robyn Lee Focazio, Lorin Evan Ullmann
  • Patent number: 6441922
    Abstract: Apparatus and method establish two or more selectable colorimetrically equivalent printmasks, and—from among those—select masks for use. An image-processing stage assigns inking spatially among pixels; each mask sets temporal assignments, among print passes, of the spatially assigned inking. Selected masks are used, for successive pixels, in a randomized sequence. The image is defined as an array of input colorimetric levels, each one selectably mapped to any one of plural colorimetrically equivalent masks. Plural colorimetrically equivalent levels are defined, and then assigned (through a randomized procedure) to particular masks. The image is prepared using a pixel grid coarser than the available printer resolution; and the plural equivalent masks formed by varying allocation of printer passes among pixels of the coarser grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Ronald A Askeland, Kevin R Hudson, Thomas S. Hoff