Abstract: Information on a document may be encoded using indicia, such as end-to-end line segments, that form one or more visually non-intrusive borders. The coded borders may be decoded from the document using a scanner, such as an optical scanner. The coded borders also serve as a visually non-intrusive way to separate and identify content in the document.

Abstract: Methods and devices for converting printed media into audio data. In one embodiment, a device includes a scanning platform for supporting the document to be scanned, a scanning mechanism for converting images on the document into image data, and a processor configured to convert the scanned image data into audio data. The device may further include printer components configured to create a hardcopy of the image data, an audio device such as a speaker, and an interface for outputting the image data or audio data.

Abstract: A gamut mapping algorithm especially adapted for printing business and presentation graphics with highly chromatic colors. To perform gamut mapping, gamut triangles corresponding to an input gamut and output gamut are defined and used to scale the lightness and chroma of input colors. The rescaled input colors are then mapped to the output triangle along lines of constant chroma. The chroma of the remapped colors is enhanced by moving the remapped colors toward the apex of the output gamut triangle along a line passing through the remapped color and the apex of the output gamut triangle.

Abstract: A scanning or copying system can include imaging elements and one or more system processors that are programmed or adapted to perform image processing methods and algorithms on image data, and in some instances, to enhance the image. Image data is acquired using imaging elements. Some imaging elements may have overlapping or rotated fields of view or employ differing resolutions. For each imaging element, its output is recombined together with the output of one or more other imaging elements. To perform the recombination, the system can extract features in an overlapping region and match these features in multiple images. In some instances, the features matched can be edges. Alternatively, the recombination can be performed by positioning each subimage with respect to a larger image through image matching and location techniques. Parameters from the recombined image can be extracted and these parameters can be used to correct for geometrical and spatial distortions and thereby enhance the image.

Abstract: An improved shingle mask is provided for use on ink jet printers which use multi-pass printing (shingling) to form bitmap images. The shingle mask is derived from a shingle mask density distribution which exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape; the shingle mask density distribution is derived from an accumulated shingle mask distribution (also referred to as a “banding profile”) having an overall shape of a plateau portion and a substantially smooth decreasing portion, which reduces the number of drops to be printed along the outermost edges of the mask on each swath. This shape reduces banding effects by effectively increasing a number of printed-density bands which are decreased in size, while at the same time not increasing the number of printhead passes over a given area on the print media (which otherwise would negatively impact printed throughput).

Abstract: A gamut mapping algorithm especially adapted for printing business and presentation graphics with highly chromatic colors. To perform gamut mapping, gamut triangles corresponding to an input gamut and output gamut are defined and used to scale the lightness and chroma of input colors. The rescaled input colors are then mapped to the output triangle along lines of constant chroma. The chroma of the remapped colors is enhanced by moving the remapped colors toward the apex of the output gamut triangle along a line passing through the remapped color and the apex of the output gamut triangle.

Abstract: An improved shingle mask is provided for use on ink jet printers which use multi-pass printing (shingling) to form bitmap images. The shingle mask is derived from a shingle mask density distribution which exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape; the shingle mask density distribution is derived from an accumulated shingle mask distribution (also referred to as a “banding profile”) having an overall shape of a plateau portion and a substantially smooth decreasing portion, which reduces the number of drops to be printed along the outermost edges of the mask on each swath. This shape reduces banding effects by effectively increasing a number of printed-density bands which are decreased in size, while at the same time not increasing the number of printhead passes over a given area on the print media (which otherwise would negatively impact printed throughput).