Abstract: An image processing device includes an input device which receives image adjustment selections from an associated user interface device. Memory of the device stores a user interface generator, which generates a background adjustment selector for presenting to a user on the user interface device; a background adjustment component which, for each of a plurality of pixels of an input image computes adjusted color values, as a function of at least one of: (a) a background adjustment factor computed for the respective pixel, and (b) a background class derived from the computed background adjustment factor, the background adjustment factor being a function of a background strength of the pixel and a luminance strength of the pixel; and an image output component outputs an output image derived from the adjusted color values for the plurality of pixels. A processor implements the background adjustment component and image output component.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an input device which receives image adjustment selections from an associated user interface device. Memory of the device stores a user interface generator, which generates a background adjustment selector for presenting to a user on the user interface device; a background adjustment component which, for each of a plurality of pixels of an input image computes adjusted color values, as a function of at least one of: (a) a background adjustment factor computed for the respective pixel, and (b) a background class derived from the computed background adjustment factor, the background adjustment factor being a function of a background strength of the pixel and a luminance strength of the pixel; and an image output component outputs an output image derived from the adjusted color values for the plurality of pixels. A processor implements the background adjustment component and image output component.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a neutral edge detection and enhancement component which, for pixels of an input image, computes an edge strength for the pixel as a function of differences between the input luminance value of the pixel and input luminance values of neighboring pixels, computes a neutral adjustment factor for the pixel as a function of the input luminance value of the pixel, and computes a chroma adjustment factor for the pixel as a function of the input chrominance values of the pixel. An adjusted luminance value for the pixel is computed as a function of the input luminance value, the edge strength, and the neutral adjustment factor. Adjusted chrominance values for the pixel may be computed as a function of the input chrominance value, the edge strength, and the chroma adjustment factor. The system allows detection and enhancement of neutral edges in monochrome and color images.

Abstract: An image processing device and method are provided for adjusting background pixels of an image. The device includes memory which stores a background adjustment component which for each of a plurality of pixels of an input image: computes a background strength of the pixel; computes a luminance strength of the pixel; and computes adjusted luminance and adjusted chrominance values for the pixel, as a function of the background strength and luminance strength of the pixel. An image output component outputs an output image derived from the adjusted luminance and adjusted chrominance values for the plurality of pixels, A processor implements the background adjustment component and image output component.

Abstract: A method of printer operation identifies inkjets to operate in each scanline to eject sneeze drops or, in an alternative approach, identifies the cross-process direction scanlines within a page to be printed by the printer where each inkjet ejects sneeze drops. The methods use a binary grayscale code counter that generates a sequence of binary grayscale code numbers and every other output of the sequence is bit reversed to spread the sneeze drops over the pages of the printer output so the sneeze drops are not perceptible to a human observer.

Abstract: An image processing system and method are described which use entropy values in processing the image. For each of a plurality of segments of an image, the segment is considered as a stream of bits and a bit difference is computed between pairs of sequential bit sequences in the stream of bits. An entropy value of the segment is computed as a function of the bit differences. The image is processing based on the computed entropy values, which may include compressing some or all of the image segments using an acceleration factor that is based on the computed entropy value for the segment. In this way, differences in entropy, which correlate with the compressibility of the image segment, can ensure an optimal compression of the segment, or in some cases, no compression.

Abstract: An image processing system and method are described which use entropy values in processing the image. For each of a plurality of segments of an image, the segment is considered as a stream of bits and a bit difference is computed between pairs of sequential bit sequences in the stream of bits. An entropy value of the segment is computed as a function of the bit differences. The image is processing based on the computed entropy values, which may include compressing some or all of the image segments using an acceleration factor that is based on the computed entropy value for the segment. In this way, differences in entropy, which correlate with the compressibility of the image segment, can ensure an optimal compression of the segment, or in some cases, no compression.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that is configured to perform multi-pass printing operations includes at least one printhead, a memory and a controller. The controller receives a input row of image data for one pass including a plurality of pixels. The controller uses a table of index lookup offsets in the memory to generate a row of output image data with at least one pixel at a first index in the input row being located at a second index in the output row. The controller operates the inkjets in the printhead to eject at least one drop of ink using an inkjet in the printhead that corresponds to the second index in the output row and that is different than another inkjet in the printhead that corresponds to the first index in the input row.

Abstract: A method for operating an inkjet printhead includes identifying a number of ink drop ejections for an inkjet in the printhead to form a printed image with reference to image data corresponding to the printed image and generating control data that specify a sequence of a plurality of non-firing electrical signals to be applied to the inkjet with reference to a predetermined control sequence stored in a memory and the number of ink drop ejections. The method further includes generating non-firing electrical signals applied to the inkjet with reference to the control data and generating a plurality of firing electrical signals applied to the inkjet to eject ink drops after generating every non-firing electrical signal in the plurality of non-firing electrical signals.

Abstract: Image scaling disclosed herein comprises receiving an image from an image capturing device and partitioning an image into at least one image tile using a partitioning module. A determination is made if the image tile requires slow scan scaling and/or fast scan scaling. The image tile is subject to slow scan scaling. The image tile is then transposed, scaled in the fast scan direction, and then again transposed to an original orientation. The tile is reassembled into a scaled image and may be rendered by a rendering device.

Abstract: A method of compensating for an inoperable inkjet in an inkjet printer that forms printed images with multiple drop sizes has been developed. The method includes identifying at least one neighboring pixel in a region of multi-bit halftoned image data around a pixel corresponding to the inoperable inkjet and modifying the at least one neighboring pixel to enable an inkjet that neighbors the inoperable inkjet to eject an ink drop during printing operation to compensate for the inoperable inkjet.

Abstract: Image scaling disclosed herein comprises receiving an image from an image capturing device and partitioning an image into at least one image tile using a partitioning module. A determination is made if the image tile requires slow scan scaling and/or fast scan scaling. The image tile is subject to slow scan scaling. The image tile is then transposed, scaled in the fast scan direction, and then again transposed to an original orientation. The tile is reassembled into a scaled image and may be rendered by a rendering device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a low resolution image via a low resolution error diffusion algorithm. A low resolution binary output pixel can be generated utilizing a general error diffusion algorithm. The low-resolution binary output pixel can be converted to a predetermined number of interpolated sub-pixel values and each interpolated sub-pixel values can be compared with a threshold in order to generate a scaled slow-scan output pixel utilizing the low resolution error diffusion algorithm. The low resolution error diffusion algorithm includes a highlight threshold adjustment module that adjusts level in order to prevent the scaled slow-scan output pixel from firing around the low resolution binary output pixel within a highlight region. A slow scan error with respect to the scaled slow-scan output pixel can be distributed and stored via error diffusion filter coefficients within an error buffer without additional memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a low resolution image via a low resolution error diffusion algorithm. A low resolution binary output pixel can be generated utilizing a general error diffusion algorithm. The low-resolution binary output pixel can be converted to a predetermined number of interpolated sub-pixel values and each interpolated sub-pixel values can be compared with a threshold in order to generate a scaled slow-scan output pixel utilizing the low resolution error diffusion algorithm. The low resolution error diffusion algorithm includes a highlight threshold adjustment module that adjusts the threshold level in order to prevent the scaled slow-scan output pixel from firing around the low resolution binary output pixel within a highlight region. A slow scan error with respect to the scaled slow-scan output pixel can be distributed and stored via error diffusion filter coefficients within an error buffer without additional memory.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for performing error diffusion are disclosed. For example, the method quantizes an error for a first pixel of a plurality of pixels in a first row, diffuses the error to an adjacent pixel of the plurality of pixels in the first row, performs the quantizing and the diffusing for each remaining pixel of the plurality of pixels in the first row and applies the error that is quantized for each one of the plurality of pixels the first row in a desired number of different directions in a plurality of parallel operations that is equal to the desired number of different directions.

Abstract: An apparatus enables a printer to identify neighboring inkjets to compensate for inoperative inkjets with reference to different search patterns. The apparatus includes a plurality of mutliplexers, a memory, a decoder, and a controller. The multiplexers are operatively connected to the memory to receive data that selects one of a plurality of image data pixels on the inputs of the multiplexers. The outputs of the multiplexers are concatenated in a predetermined order and the decoder identifies a highest priority image data pixel available for inoperative inkjet compensation. The controller operates the memory to output the data stored at the plurality of storage locations in a first sequence to enable the multiplexers to output the image data pixels in the predetermined order for the decoder.

Abstract: An inkjet printer estimates ink usage in the printer with reference to image pixels and a history of inkjet firing for each inkjet. The printer includes an apparatus that generates an ink mass for each image pixel with reference to the image pixel and a predetermined number of previously ejected image pixels and identifies a total ink mass measurement for a printhead with reference to the ink masses generated for the image pixels of an image to be printed by the inkjet printer.

Abstract: An inkjet printer estimates ink usage in the printer with reference to image pixels and a history of inkjet firing for each inkjet. The printer includes an apparatus that generates an ink mass for each image pixel with reference to the image pixel and a predetermined number of previously ejected image pixels and identifies a total ink mass measurement for a printhead with reference to the ink masses generated for the image pixels of an image to be printed by the inkjet printer.

Abstract: A system calculates appropriate billing within an imaging pipeline. An input component receives an image that is described as a plurality of pixels. A PDL component receives the image and determines a location, a color and a designation for each of the one or more pixels. A marking engine modifies the one or more pixels based at least in part on the location and the color provided by the PDL component and places each of the one or more pixels as a monochrome or a composite pixel on a substrate. An analysis component counts the number of monochrome and composite pixels placed on the substrate by the marking engine, the number of composite pixels that include a designation are counted as monochrome. A billing component calculates the cost for placing each of the monochrome and the composite pixels counted by the analysis component.

Abstract: A method of printing comprising setting a pixel black value of K for an ink limit and identifying each of black dots of a first subset of black dots having pixel black value K greater than the ink limit, and pixel color value of cyan, magenta, and yellow equal to zero. The method further comprises rendering only K for a pixel value for the first subset of black dots and replacing each of black dots of a second subset of black dots of a halftoned bit map for a predetermined area with a process black dot.