Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light source that generates light by synthesizing light from different illuminants and irradiates an irradiated object with the generated light; a reading unit that reads light irradiated by the light source and reflected by the irradiated object and generates image information in a first color space on the irradiated object; a color conversion unit that converts the image information in the first color space into image information in a second color space with a color conversion factor group; and a color conversion factor group setting unit that acquires from the reading unit the image information generated by using, as the irradiated object, a color sample formed in a color of light emitted by one of the illuminants, determines the color conversion factor group to be used, according to the acquired image information, and sets the color conversion factor group to the color conversion unit.

Abstract: A system and method detect missing inkjets in an inkjet image generating system. The system and method generate digital images of printed documents that do not have test pattern data within them. The digital images are processed to detect light streaks and the positions of the light streaks are correlated to inkjet positions in printheads. Identification of the ink color associated with the correlated inkjet positions are obtained with analysis of color separated images and/or color errors.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light source that generates light by synthesizing light from different illuminants, and irradiates an irradiated object with the light; a reading unit that reads light irradiated by the light source and reflected by the irradiated object and generates image information on the irradiated object; a correction amount setting unit that acquires from the reading unit the image information generated by using, as the irradiated object, a color sample formed in a color of light emitted by any one of the illuminants generating the light of the light source, and that sets, according to the acquired image information, a correction amount to correct the image information on the irradiated object generated by the reading unit; and a correction unit that corrects the image information on the irradiated object generated by the reading unit, by using the correction amount set by the correction amount setting unit.

Abstract: Graininess is suppressed while at the same time minimizing grayscale variations caused by inter-plane deviations. For this purpose, when a pixel is printed by M relative scans of a print head over a print medium or by a relative scans of M print heads over the print medium, M pieces of multivalued image data is created according to a division number or distribution ratio determined by a grayscale value of that pixel. The M pieces of multivalued image data are individually quantized and then the printing is performed according to the quantized pixel data. This process prevents dot generation delays and graininess from deteriorating in highlighted areas, thus realizing printed images highly robust against density variations.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus includes a verification unit configured to verify a charging destination of a job generated at a client terminal apparatus. The printing control apparatus includes a control unit configured to suspend execution of the job if no value is set to the charging destination of the job or that an invalid value is set to the charging destination of the job. The printing control apparatus also includes a generation unit configured to generate an input screen for entering a value of the charging destination of the job if no value is set to the charging destination of the job or that an invalid value is set to the charging destination of the job. The printing control apparatus also includes a notification unit configured to notify information about the input screen generated by the generation unit to the client terminal apparatus.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for xerographic Dmax control based upon measurements made on the printed paper using an inline spectrophotometer (ILS) or similar device. The disclosed method is based upon directly measuring the color to actuator sensitivity. Each of the separations is controlled independently using an actuator specific to that color separation. The present method is effective at controlling the color of the solid primaries. The fact that the vector of change is highly correlated with solid color variation seen in the field suggests that the teachings hereof effectively increase the solid color stability. Increased solid color stability increases the color stability throughout the printer gamut and the stability of the gamut boundaries, which increases the robustness of gamut mapping algorithms. Advantageously, the present method can be combined with existing ILS-based maintenance architectures.

Abstract: Techniques for generated variable density mono-color under-print layer(s) for printing underneath an image on a substrate to improve the appearance of the printed image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for calibrating imaging equipment. According to one embodiment of a method, a calibration deck of timing sheets is prepared. The calibration deck includes a sheet with a series of reference marks that help determine the amount of skew, a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all filled in with black ink, a grey scale bubble sheet having a predetermined number of shades between black and white, and a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all unfilled, or white. The timing sheets are scanned on a scanner, and results from scanning the calibration deck are compared to an industry standard baseline.

Abstract: A color approval system that facilitates the use of electronic color submissions. The electronic color submissions contain reflectance values for a physical color sample to be submitted for approval. The system includes a data storage area accessible by a submitter of the electronic color sample and a reviewer of the color sample. The submitter upload the submission to the data storage area, from which the reviewer retrieves the submission and replies with an acceptance or rejection, typically via e-mail. The system provides tools for the analysis of the electronic color sample and automatic formation of acceptances and rejections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for printing an image comprising a plurality of pixels, the system comprising: a carriage arranged to make a plurality of passes along a scanning axis with respect to a print medium; a plurality of printheads mounted on the carriage, each printhead corresponding to a different ink color and comprising at least one ejection nozzle; and, a print controller configured to receive data defining for each pass zero or more locations at which to deposit each of the ink colors to produce each pixel; wherein the data is such that for at least one pixel, at least one of the ink colors is deposited at substantially more locations on one pass relative to the other passes.

Abstract: A spectral colorimetric apparatus for detecting a color of an image of a subject, including: an illumination optical system illuminating the subject on a detection surface; a spectral optical system including a spectral element spectrally separating the beam diffused by the subject and a light receiving element array detecting a spectral intensity distribution; and a guiding optical system for guiding a beam diffused by the subject, wherein: the detection surface is parallel to a spectral plane including a principal ray of a beam entering the spectral optical system and a principal ray of a beam spectrally separated; the principal ray of the beam enters the spectral optical system within the spectral plane obliquely to a line joining a center of the light receiving element array with a surface vertex of the spectral element; and a light receiving surface of the light receiving element array is orthogonal to the spectral plane.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus provided with a reader for reading an original image, a connection unit for connection with a network to which plural computers are connected, and a transfer unit for transferring the image data, read by the reader, to a computer through the connection unit, the apparatus comprising a specifying unit for specifying a desired one among the computers connected through the connection unit, and a designation unit for designating image reading by the reader, wherein the transfer unit is adapted to transfer the image data, read by the reader in response to the designation by the designation unit, to a computer specified by the specifying unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an originating gateway receives a call menu (CM) signal from an originating fax machine. The CM signal may have been generated in response to an ANSam signal from a terminating fax machine. The originating gateway suppresses the CM signal after a preamble of the CM signal and generates a modified JM signal in response to receiving the CM signal. The modified JM signal indicates that V.34 half-duplex modulation is not an option. The originating gateway transmits the modified JM signal to the originating fax machine, which allows the transmission to continue across an unenhanced T.38 fax relay.

Abstract: A fax account is described and creates an association between users and documents that are faxed. A fax account allows a user to secure their faxed documents and organize and streamline fax communication via different transports. In at least some embodiments, security is enhanced through the use of an authentication model that authenticates individual users before giving them access to the fax functionality or, more accurately, their fax account. In at least some embodiments, fax accounts also provide users with an infrastructure through which they can manage their documents. In addition, in at least some embodiments, fax accounts can be used to manage and direct received faxes to the intended recipient, thus reducing the possibility of an unintended recipient gaining access to the fax.

Abstract: A method for determining a blended color transform for use in producing printed colors on a color printer having at least four device color channels, comprising: forming first and second color transforms, wherein the first color transform produces printed colors that have a reduced sensitivity to color printer process variations in at least a first region of color space that includes a near-neutral color region, and wherein the second color transform produces printed colors that have a reduced image noise visibility in at least a second region of color space; defining a blending function which computes weighting values for the first and second color transforms as a function of input color values; and using a processor to determine the blended color transform by blending the first color transform and the second color transform, responsive to the blending function.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image using an electrophotographic process; a color measuring unit that measures a color of the image; a measured-value acquiring unit that acquires a measured value that is measured by the color measuring unit; and a set-value deciding unit that decides a set value related to formation of the image based on a difference between the measured value and a preset target value, wherein the set-value deciding unit determines the set value so that the image approaches a reference value in a period from a current state of the image to desired state of the image while optimizing a constraint evaluation function related to a constraint condition for the formation of the image by using an estimation equation for approximating time-series variation in a state of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that configures a facsimile transmission protocol for a facsimile device is disclosed. The method can include transmitting an echo request via a network connection to a facsimile device. The method can include receiving a response to the echo request via the network connection from the facsimile device. The method can include determining network throughput impairments based on the received response to the echo request. The method can include adjusting a facsimile transmission protocol based on the determined network throughput impairments. The method can include transmitting a facsimile message based on the adjusted facsimile transmission protocol.

Abstract: The spread spectrum clock generator (SSCG) includes a phase comparator detecting phase difference between input clock and feedback clock; a charge pump supplying current depending on the phase difference; a loop filter converting the current to smoothed voltage; a voltage controlled oscillator generating a spread spectrum clock signal depending on the smoothed voltage; and a modulation signal generator generating modulation signal having amplitude depending on a modulation width set value. The SSCG further includes a modulation width detector detecting modulation width of the spread spectrum clock signal while comparing the modulation width with a modulation width target value to update the modulation width set value to narrow difference between the detected modulation width and the modulation width target value, followed by feeding back the updated modulation width set value to the modulation signal generator.

Abstract: Conventionally, during a copy operation, certain advanced mode settings make the extraction of additional security information impossible. In order to solve this problem, the print control apparatus includes: determining unit for determining an interval between a pattern element and a pattern element adjacent to the pattern element from the received image data; and control unit for performing a control so as to scale the image at a magnification specified by a user and have the scaled image printed by a printing apparatus when the product of the magnification specified by the user and the interval determined by the determining unit falls within a predetermined range, and configured to terminate or interrupt the printing of the image by the printing apparatus when the product of the magnification specified by the user and the interval determined by the determining unit does not fall within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A person can create a desired color through use of a visual aid or tool. The aid or tool may include a plurality of color lines, provided on a medium, on which color can be blended. The plurality of color lines may include: (i) a primary set of color lines, each providing a corresponding primary color that is different than a primary color of another color line in the primary set, and (ii) a secondary set of lines, where each color line in the secondary set is for a corresponding secondary color. Each color line in the primary set includes a plurality of color formations, and each color formation may have a common range of hues that are different of hues of the other color lines in the primary set. The plurality of color formations of each color line are arranged from a highest intensity to a lowest intensity. Each color line in the secondary set includes a plurality of color formations for the corresponding secondary color.