Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing data on a print medium is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to format print data to pixel data, the pixel data including pixel values; identify a grid of pixels having a predetermined pattern of pixel values; obtain predetermined pcode grid from memory for the identified grid of pixels; and send the predetermined pcode grid to controller circuit for printing.

Abstract: A digital circuit generates very precise clock frequencies for applications that can tolerate a small degree of jitter but require exact long term frequencies, e.g. a video clock for a laser printer. Some subpixel jitter is acceptable, but the overall pixel rate remains exact and consistent. In some applications, the jitter may be desirable to smear the EMI spectrum. For example, if the high frequency input clock is modulated, the edges of the video clock will also be modulated yet remain within the jitter and frequency specification.

Abstract: A method of image-resolution enhancement employing partial-template matching, including storing at least a portion of an image, and selecting from the image a window comprising a plurality of adjacent line segments having pixels, the window including a target pixel. The method also includes comparing the pixels of the window with a template for a partial match, and responsive to a partial match being found, substituting an enhancement pixel for the target pixel. By allowing a partial match for enhancement instead of requiring a 100-percent match of the prior art, the method provides image-resolution enhancement for digital-image data having noise or other errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing data on a print medium is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to format print data to pixel data, the pixel data including pixel values; identify a grid of pixels having a predetermined pattern of pixel values; obtain predetermined pcode grid from memory for the identified grid of pixels; and send the predetermined pcode grid to controller circuit for printing.

Abstract: An image processing method and device for processing multiple rows of pixels of an image simultaneously with a single instruction. The processing includes selecting a pixel window having a plurality of pixels of an image spanning across multiple rows and columns, building vertical and horizontal load registers to include the plurality of pixels of the selected pixel window, and simultaneously processing selected pixels of the plurality of pixels included in the vertical and horizontal load registers using a single instruction, wherein the vertical and horizontal load registers are shifted when the selected pixels are processed. Accordingly, a method and device for efficient processing of an image is provided.

Abstract: A video controller includes a video block that connects to the print control engine and one laser driver. The video block includes a direct memory access (DMA) block, a video processor, a waveform generator including pattern and multiple pulse mode modulation, a frequency synthesizer, configuration registers, and a data bus. The frequency synthesizer connects to the waveform generator. The configuration registers connect to the DMA block, video processor and the waveform generator. The data bus, operative to carry bus control signals, connects the DMA block, video processor, waveform generator, and the configuration registers.

Abstract: A laser printer includes a light source, a photosensitive drum, an oscillating mirror, a beam detector, and a control circuit. The light source shines a light beam towards the oscillating mirror, which reflects the light beam towards the photosensitive drum. The beam detector detects light reflected from the oscillating mirror. A reflected light beam hits the beam detector twice in each period of the oscillating mirror. The time interval between detected beams is used to determine the maximum mechanical deflection angle of the oscillating mirror. In an alternate embodiment, two beam detectors are used to detect light reflected from the oscillating mirror and determine its maximum mechanical deflection angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for adjusting the color balance of a display. According to the method, a sensor of the apparatus detects the color temperature of ambient light. A controller of the apparatus adjusts the color balance of the emissive display based on the detected color temperature of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for intervaled memory transfer access provides periodic authorization signals to a memory access controller. The method cycles between: 1) inhibiting the memory access controller from writing data to a memory until the memory access controller receives a periodic authorization signal to cause the memory access controller to remove the inhibition and write a predetermined amount of data to the memory through a data bus, and 2) releasing the data bus following writing of the predetermined amount of data to the memory by inhibiting the memory access controller from writing further data.

Abstract: A digital circuit generates very precise varying clock frequencies for applications that can tolerate a small degree of jitter but require exact longer term frequencies, e.g. a video clock for a laser printer. Some subpixel jitter is acceptable, but the overall pixel rate remains exact and consistent. In some applications, the jitter may be desirable to smear the EMI spectrum. For example, if the high frequency input clock is modulated, the edges of the video clock will also be modulated yet remain within the jitter and frequency specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and controlling volume of a speaker of an appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes an IC chip connected to an amplifier subsystem. The IC chip includes a square-wave audio signal generator, a counter, a register, a comparator, and an AND gate. Theses components of the IC chip are used to generate modulated audio frequency square-wave signal. The modulated audio frequency square-wave signal having pulses, each pulse has a width determined by the volume control value. The modulated audio frequency square-wave signal is sent from the IC chip to the amplifier subsystem on a single connection. At the amplifier subsystem, the modulated audio frequency square-wave signal is integrated over, filtered, and amplified to drive a speaker to produce the desired sound. By adjusting the volume control value, the widths of the pulses, thus the volume of the produced sound can be controlled.

Abstract: A scanning system is adapted to scan an image beam across a photoconductive surface. The scanning system includes an oscillating mirror and is operable to generate an image beam and to reflect the image beam off the oscillating mirror to bidirectionally scan the image beam across the photoconductive surface and thereby discharge regions on the surface. The system is further operable to dynamically scale an intensity of the image beam as a function of a position of the image beam on the photoconductive surface.

Abstract: A method of image-resolution enhancement employing partial-template matching, including storing at least a portion of an image, and selecting from the image a window comprising a plurality of adjacent line segments having pixels, the window including a target pixel. The method also includes comparing the pixels of the window with a template for a partial match, and responsive to a partial match being found, substituting an enhancement pixel for the target pixel. By allowing a partial match for enhancement instead of requiring a 100-percent match of the prior art, the method provides image-resolution enhancement for digital-image data having noise or other errors.

Abstract: A method for image processing includes generating a pixel window of image data and determining whether the pixel window-is stable or unstable. Image enhancement values are then obtained from a look up table for stable windows when the window is stable, and image enhancement values are obtained from a look up table for unstable windows when the window is unstable. An enhanced target pixel value is then output according to the obtained look up table image enhancement value.

Abstract: A method for memory write-back provides a memory access controller and then generates a write-back pattern in the memory access controller. The write-back pattern is then written back into a memory starting at a predetermined address location and continuing for a predetermined length of the addressing space of the memory.

Abstract: A method for intervaled memory transfer access provides periodic authorization signals to a memory access controller. The method cycles between: 1) inhibiting the memory access controller from writing data to a memory until the memory access controller receives a periodic authorization signal to cause the memory access controller to remove the inhibition and write a predetermined amount of data to the memory through a data bus, and 2) releasing the data bus following writing of the predetermined amount of data to the memory by inhibiting the memory access controller from writing further data.

Abstract: A method for memory write-back provides a memory access controller and then generates a write-back pattern in the memory access controller. The write-back pattern is then written back into a memory starting at a predetermined address location and continuing for a predetermined length of the addressing space of the memory.

Abstract: A printer includes a direct memory access controller (DMA), a video processor, and a video signal generator. A frequency synthesizer connects to the video signal generator. Configuration registers bidirectionally connect to the DMA, video processor, the video signal generator and the frequency synthesizer. A data bus electrically connects the DMA and the configuration registers.

Abstract: A method for image processing includes generating a pixel window of image data and determining whether the pixel window-is stable or unstable. Image enhancement values are then obtained from a look up table for stable windows when the window is stable, and image enhancement values are obtained from a look up table for unstable windows when the window is unstable. An enhanced target pixel value is then output according to the obtained look up table image enhancement value.

Abstract: A scanning system is adapted to scan an image beam across a photoconductive surface. The scanning system includes an oscillating mirror and is operable to generate an image beam and to reflect the image beam off the oscillating mirror to bidirectionally scan the image beam across the photoconductive surface and thereby discharge regions on the surface. The system is further operable to dynamically scale an intensity of the image beam as a function of a position of the image beam on the photoconductive surface.