Abstract: An ink level sensing device and associated method. The ink level sensing device includes a near infrared illumination source that emits near infrared light, and a container configured to accommodate a supply of ink containing light absorption material. The device further includes a protruding chamber adjacent to the container. The protruding chamber is configured to accommodate a portion of the supply of ink accommodated by the container. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to receive a signal based on an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber. The method includes emitting a light from a near infrared illumination source and directing the light toward a protruding chamber of the ink supply. The method further includes sensing an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber in the ink supply.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to ink sets, methods of electronically sensing printed images, and ink-jet printing systems. In one embodiment, an ink set for ink-jet printing can include a cyan ink including cyan colorant, a magenta ink including magenta colorant, and a yellow ink including yellow colorant. All three inks of the ink set can include an infrared absorbing dye and have an overlapping infrared absorbance range with respect to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of determining drop weight are disclosed.

Abstract: An ink level sensing device and associated method. The ink level sensing device includes a near infrared illumination source that emits near infrared light, and a container configured to accommodate a supply of ink containing light absorption material. The device further includes a protruding chamber adjacent to the container. The protruding chamber is configured to accommodate a portion of the supply of ink accommodated by the container. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to receive a signal based on an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber. The method includes emitting a light from a near infrared illumination source and directing the light toward a protruding chamber of the ink supply. The method further includes sensing an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber in the ink supply.

Abstract: Embodiments of determining drop weight are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to ink sets, methods of electronically sensing printed images, and ink-jet printing systems. In one embodiment, an ink set for ink-jet printing can comprise a cyan ink including cyan colorant, a magenta ink including magenta colorant, and a yellow ink including yellow colorant. All three inks of the ink set can include an infrared absorbing dye and have an overlapping infrared absorbance range with respect to one another.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system, comprising a lens coupled to a lens control element is disclosed. The image capture system includes an image sensor configured to capture images from the lens, and a memory element and a processor coupled to the lens control element. The memory element includes image capture software, where the image capture software causes the lens and the image sensor to capture at least two images, each of the at least two images captured using a varying parameter and stored as a single file where the at least two images are combined to form a new image having at least one characteristic different from corresponding characteristics of the at least two images.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and reducing motion blur caused by the movement between a camera and an object including calculation of first and second figures of merit associated with two substantially orthogonal directions and comparison of the figures of merit and adjustment of the magnitude of the amplitude of spatial frequencies of the image in response to the comparison.

Abstract: An electronic display comprises a plurality of independently operable segments. Each of the plurality of independently operable segments comprises a plurality of picture elements.

Abstract: An imaging appliance family is a cooperative system of two or more imaging appliances that are linked together to share images, command and control. Imaging appliances may be linked to each other by introducing the appliances to each other, establishing a communications link, and exchanging appliance information. After communications are established, appliance information is exchanged and the appliances are dynamically configured into a cooperative system. As part of the appliance information exchanged, an address and an associated image are exchanged. The image may be of the imaging appliance, the user or the location of the user or imaging appliance. When selecting another imaging appliance to communicate with, instead of identifying the imaging appliance by descriptive text, the user identifies the imaging appliance according to its identifying image. Thus, each imaging appliance includes a thumbnail associated with it that identifies it to other appliances.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system, comprising a lens coupled to a lens control element is disclosed. The image capture system includes an image sensor configured to capture images from the lens, and a memory element and a processor coupled to the lens control element. The memory element includes image capture software, where the image capture software causes the lens and the image sensor to capture at least two images, each of the at least two images captured using a varying parameter and stored as a single file where the at least two images are combined to form a new image having at least one characteristic different from corresponding characteristics of the at least two images.

Abstract: A system for organizing and navigating through files allows a user to view and navigate through files in a rendering of three-dimensional space. The system comprises a plurality of files, each file comprising at least two attributes, a first code segment for mapping the at least two attributes into at least two dimensions, a graphical user interface for rendering the at least two attributes representing each file into three-dimensional space, where an icon represents each file, and where the graphical user interface allows a user to navigate through the three-dimensional space to view the icons representing each of the files. Embodiments of the invention map files into three-dimensional space according to values assigned to the attributes and allow the user to view and manipulate the files in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and reducing motion blur caused by the movement between a camera and an object including calculation of first and second figures of merit associated with two substantially orthogonal directions and comparison of the figures of merit and adjustment of the magnitude of the amplitude of spatial frequencies of the image in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A system for thermal compensation of the optical performance of a lens system in a digital imaging device can improve the performance of the digital imaging system. The dark current from the photosensor is used to measure the temperature of the lens system. The digital processing system can use the temperature information to correct for aberrations in the lens system caused by changes in temperature. The focus function can use the temperature information to more accurately position the lens for optimum focus.

Abstract: A system for thermal compensation of the optical performance of a lens system in a digital imaging device can improve the performance of the digital imaging system. The dark current from the photosensor is used to measure the temperature of the lens system. The digital processing system can use the temperature information to correct for aberrations in the lens system caused by changes in temperature. The focus function can use the temperature information to more accurately position the lens for optimum focus.

Abstract: An improved auto-focus system for a digital camera has a lens designed to have the focus of two spectra offset from each other by a predetermined amount. The two offset spectra are used to calculate two focus signals. Once the two focus signals are calculated the correct direction to move the lens system to set the optimum focus can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus providing the capability to scan media at different resolutions is presented. The apparatus comprises an image area which is disposed between scanner lid and a scanner base, the lid is pivotally attached to the base to provide easy access to the image area. A light source resides within the scanner lid. Two separate light paths are provided, the first light path is reflected off opaque targets, through the lid before entering the base and onto an array of photosensitive devices. The second light path is passed through transparent media, into the base and onto the array. First and second focusing lenses are provided, each for a light path. The focusing lenses provide two separate magnifications which yield two separate resolutions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held scanning device which contacts an object to be scanned only at substantially colinear points, e.g., via a roller. This configuration allows the scanning device to scan very close to the edge of an object to be scanned while remaining fully supported by the object. In order to counteract detrimental effects caused by tilting of the scanning device during a scan, the scan region of the scanning device is located close to the roller, a relatively high f-number lens is used and a widened illumination area is employed. The scanning device is also configured to provide for easy grasping by a user and to allow the user to view the scan region during a scan.

Abstract: An apparatus providing the capability to scan media at different resolutions is presented. The apparatus comprises an image area which is disposed between scanner lid and a scanner base, the lid is pivotally attached to the base to provide easy access to the image area. A light source resides within the scanner lid. Two separate light paths are provided, the first fight path is reflected off opaque targets, through the lid before entering the base and onto an array of photosensitive devices. The second light path is passed through transparent media, into the base and onto the array. First and second focusing lenses are provided, each for a light path. The focusing lenses provide two separate magnifications which yield two separate resolutions.

Abstract: A hand-held optical scanner comprising an optical sensor for generating a data signal representative of a scanned object; a housing for hand-displaceably supporting the optical sensor; a roller mounted on the housing for enabling rolling displacement of the housing over a scanned object in a predetermined scan direction; a displacement sensing device for sensing the angular displacement of the roller and generating a displacement signal representative thereof; a motor drivingly linked to the roller for applying a driving torque thereto; a controller for actuating the motor responsive to the displacement signal for angularly accelerating and decelerating the roller for urging an operator to hand displace the housing across a scanned object within a predetermined speed range which is optimal for scanning.