Abstract: A networked environment for sharing an image processing load for a rendering job and associated method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the networked environment includes: an image source device, a first image processing device, a network for data communications, and a second image processing device. The second image processing device is spaced apart from the first image processing device. The first image processing device includes a first image processing resource and a rendering resource. The second image processing device includes a second image processing resource. The first image processing device receives a rendering job from the image source device for rendering. The rendering job requires image processing prior to such rendering. A portion of the image processing required for the rendering job is performed by the second image processing resource. The rendering resource renders the rendering job when image processing is complete.

Abstract: A page to be printed is organized into a plurality of strips. To rendered the page using a tandem printer, each strip is rendered a plurality of times, once for each print engine of the tandem printer. Each time the selected strip is rendered for a different one of the print engines, the rendered image data for that print engine is stored into a separate memory area, such as a buffer, associated with that print engine Once a selected strip is rendered and the rendered image data stored into the associated memory areas, the rendered image data is used by the appropriate print engines to form image portions on a receiving sheet corresponding to the rendered image data. At the same time, a next strip is selected and repeatedly rendered for each of the print engines.

Abstract: A networked environment for sharing an image processing load for a rendering job and associated method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the networked environment includes: an image source device, a first image processing device, a network for data communications, and a second image processing device. The second image processing device is spaced apart from the first image processing device. The first image processing device includes a first image processing resource and a rendering resource. The second image processing device includes a second image processing resource. The first image processing device receives a rendering job from the image source device for rendering. The rendering job requires image processing prior to such rendering. A portion of the image processing required for the rendering job is performed by the second image processing resource. The rendering resource renders the rendering job when image processing is complete.

Abstract: An image processing system as disclosed, including at least one input processing device functionally coupled to at least one output processing device, document information configured in a format such as scanning format or a document creating format converted to a common exchange format, and a common exchange format being converted to a format such as a document viewing format or document printing format. An image processing method also disclosed, including inputting document information, converting inputted document information configured in a document format such as a scanning format or a document creating format to a common exchange format, and converting the common exchange format to a document format such as a document viewing format or a document marking format.

Abstract: A page to be printed is organized into a plurality of strips. To rendered the page using a tandem printer, each strip is rendered a plurality of times, once for each print engine of the tandem printer. Each time the selected strip is rendered for a different one of the print engines, the rendered image data for that print engine is stored into a separate memory area, such as a buffer, associated with that print engine Once a selected strip is rendered and the rendered image data stored into the associated memory areas, the rendered image data is used by the appropriate print engines to form image portions on a receiving sheet corresponding to the rendered image data. At the same time, a next strip is selected and repeatedly rendered for each of the print engines.

Abstract: Image values are adjusted based on image object or component type and in a perceptually linear manner based on user set control values. Image values are also scaled based on dynamic ranges of an input and output device, such as a monitor and a printer. A lookup table is generated for converting image values from an adjustment color space to a printer color space by measuring a test print, inverting the measured data to an adjustment color space and generating a final lookup table based on the adjustment color space data and the inversion color space data. Image values are adjusted in a perceptually linear manner by converting the image values to a perceptually uniform color space and adjusting the values in the adjustment color space before converting the values to a printer device space.

Abstract: A system for trapping of a dark image object on a lighter colored background is disclosed. In a system using a page description language including overprint operators, black image areas (such as text, lines, graphic objects and the like) can be set to overprint colored background areas in a manner that eliminates rendered image defects including page-colored "halo" effect that can occur when the cutout background area underlying the black object is misregistered with the black object that was intended to cover the cutout area. In other systems, the present invention may be employed as a disabling of the undercolor removal system of a colored area that would otherwise be present under the black object. Systems using black plus at least one other toners or ink color (such as cyan, magenta and/or yellow or many other colors) can usefully employ the system of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for automatically monitoring the output intensity of an analog raster output scanning (ROS) system. The invention further includes the ability to recognize when the output intensity is not within a predetermined tolerance range, where the system will automatically recalibrate to achieve a desired linear transformation from the input image greyscale intensity to the ROS exposure intensity.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for the application of under compensated error diffusion to a pixel quantizing method in the conversion of image data from a number of input levels that is relatively large with respect to a number of desired output levels.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method adaptable for use in a printing system, to measure the mass of toner developed on an electrostatic latent image produced therein. The printing system employs an electrostatic process to produce a printed sheet in response to a plurality of image intensity signals. The toner mass measuring apparatus sums a plurality of individual toner mass signals, generated as a function of the image intensity signals, to approximate the toner mass used to develop the electrostatic latent image.

Abstract: A color conversion system is disclosed for converting raw RGB scanner data into a colorimetric system. The raw scanner data are processed in three stages. In the first stage, the raw RGB signals are converted into END-like RGB signals. This transformation is performed by passing each RGB signal separately through a lookup table to transform it to the equivalent END signal. In the second stage, the END signals are transformed into tristimulus signals XYZ. In the final stage, the XYZ signals are subjected to a non-linear transformation to convert them into a colorimetric system.

Abstract: An apparatus which determines the intensity of signals generated by a raster input scanner. The signals are inputted to a delay circuit and to a gray detector. The signals generated from the delay circuit and the gray detector are subsequently sent to a logic circuit which determines whether to output a gray signal or a non-gray signal to a raster output scanner used to expose a charged photoconductive surface to record a latent image thereon.

Abstract: An operator controllable apparatus which adjusts the color of a copy being reproduced from a multi-colored original document. The original document is scanned and a set of primary color densities therein measured. The measured set of primary color densities is changed to a set of colorimetric coordinates. The operator adjusts the set of colorimetric coordinates so that the copy has the desired hue, saturation and darkness. The operator adjusted set of colorimetric coordinates is transformed into a set of subtractive primary color densities. This set of subtractive primary color densities controls the marking engine to form a copy having the desired hue, saturation and darkness.

Abstract: A color image processing apparatus in which a latent image corresponding to one of the color components of an original document is recorded on an image receiving member. The original document is scanned and a plurality of color components of the original document are detected. Color signals, representative of each one of the plurality of color components detected, are generated. As the latent image is being recorded on the image receiving member, those regions of the latent image wherein the color signals have a preselected relationship to one another are erased.

Abstract: A ink jet printer having a reciprocating printhead with a single jet to print full pages of information on a recording medium by printing contiguous swaths of information. The recording medium is stepped a distance of one swath height after each swath is printed. A height control sensor is located on one side of the recording medium to receive periodically one or more sweeps of test droplets. The height control sensor has upper and lower pairs of photodetectors to detect droplets passing thereby and to produce differential sensing signals which identify the droplet having a trajectory closest to the desired trajectory. By determining the number of droplets between the identified droplets, the interdroplet spacing and drift of the droplet trajectories is monitored. In response to the height control sensor signals, the printer controller with associated circuitry adjusts the operating parameters of the printer to correct and to maintain the desired droplet trajectories and interdroplet spacings.

Abstract: An improved signal light employing a deep-dish reflector and critically positioned mask or masks for blocking at least some selected light rays having their origin in an external source to reduce, or eliminate, phantom signals. The mask is effective to block out at least a portion of the reflector which reflects light, from an external source, back out of the signal in a direction parallel to the reflector axis. The mask may take the form of a planar ring, a cylindrical surface, a cone or portions thereof. Other shapes may prove expedient or the reflector may be treated in selected and controlled locations to inhibit reflection. The mask may comprise any suitable material such as an opaque material or an electrically controlled optical shutter which is closed when it is desired to inhibit phantom signals and opened to accommodate normal signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence and/or direction and/or velocity of a moving ferromagnetic element is provided. A sensing coil is placed in coupling relationship with a bi-stable ferromagnetic wire to provide a signal in response to a change in polarity of the core of the bi-stable wire. The core polarity changes in response to element presence as the element constitutes a magnetic shunt causing a change in magnetic flux density and/or direction in the air gap of a magnetic circuit in which the bi-stable wire is situated. The sensor is substantially insensitive to element velocity. Modified structures provide for fail-safe operation.