Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with image morphology operations that provide fractional pixel dilation and erosion are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes scaling logic configured to scale up an input data structure of image pixel data from a first number of pixels to a second number of pixels to generate a scaled-up data structure of image pixel data. The apparatus also includes morphology logic configured to perform a morphological operation on the scaled-up data structure of image pixel data to generate a morphed data structure of image pixel data. The apparatus further includes sub-sampling logic configured to sub-sample the morphed data structure of image pixel data to generate an output data structure of image pixel data. The output data structure of image pixel data has a same number of pixels as the input data structure of image pixel data.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation technique is disclosed for use in an image forming device such as a laser printer or a photocopier. The technique implements a pacer to synthesize the frequency of a serializer circuit by stretching (or shrinking) pixel pulse train data. The pacer stretches the pixel pulse train data in accord with increment data that is based upon information about the image forming device, such as the number of bits in the pixel pulse train data, the number of bits in print engine pulse train, the target print engine frequency, and the serializer frequency. The technique can be implemented with digital circuits that provide digital test data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for faster monochrome printing in an in-line electrophotographic printer is described. The printer is configured such that it has more light emitting sources for use in an image transfer assembly for black than for image transfer assemblies for any other color in the printer. When printing a color print job, less than all of the light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly are used. A print controller directs print data for a monochrome print job to all of the available light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly and increases the print medium transport speed. The system and method may be configured to operate with dedicated data channels for each light emitting source or may share some data channels for monochrome and color print jobs.

Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for processing a starting image, comprising: a first unit configured to provide starting pixel data from a selected portion of the starting image, wherein the selected portion is less than an entirety of the starting image; and a second unit configured to receive the starting pixel data from the first unit and to selectively provide to a look up table (LUT) an address of replacement pixel data for at least a pixel of the selected portion of the starting image. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system including a communication interface, a memory, and a processor. The communication interface is configured to receive data. The memory is divided into a first retention region and a second retention region, wherein the first retention region is configured to store data for a first predetermined period of time, and the second retention region is configured to store data for a second predetermined period of time. The processor is configured to i) initially store, within the first retention region of the memory, the data that is received, and ii) in response to the data that is received having been stored in the first retention region of the memory for a time limit that exceeds the first predetermined period of time, transfer the data that is received from the first retention region of the memory to the second retention region of the memory.

Abstract: Halftoning apparatus and method that may generate and employ average values and shifts are described herein. The apparatus may include an unpacker to determine shifts and average values for a plurality of input pixel values, each pair of average value and shift being associated with a corresponding pair of the input pixel values. The apparatus may further include a halftone core coupled to the unpacker to receive the shifts and the average values from the unpacker and to generate pairs of output pixel values based at least in part on the received shifts and average values, wherein the output pixel values are for generating pixels of an image.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, software, apparatuses and systems for processing image data for imaging devices having irregular scan paths (e.g., scan paths that deviate from a conventional horizontal and/or straight line). The irregular scan paths generally correspond to actual locations of a line of output from an image output device (e.g., a printer). The method generally includes steps of selecting one or more of the input pixels, correlating a location of the selected pixel with a location on an irregular scan path, and producing an adjusted pixel based on a value of the selected pixel, the location on the irregular scan path, and/or values of one or more pixels near the selected pixel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling an input image are provided. A pixel neighborhood that includes a plurality of pixels neighboring a pixel is selected. At least part of the pixel neighborhood is compared directly to a predetermined pattern in order to determine whether the predetermined pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood. A controller applies a predetermined scaling algorithm to at least a portion of the pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a scaled image if the predetermined pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood.

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 laser print apparatus includes a memory for storing a multi-bit image including a plurality of pixels. Each pixel is represented by an N-bit value, wherein N is greater than one. A modulation code generator analyzes three adjacent pixels. The three adjacent pixels include a left pixel, a center pixel, and a right pixel. The modulation code generator is configured to generate a pulse width value based on the value of the center pixel, and a justification value based on the values of the left pixel and the right pixel. A laser print engine forms an output pixel on media based on the pulse width value and the justification value.

Abstract: A laser scanning assembly generates a laser beam and scans the laser beam through a plurality of scan lines to form desired dots. Each scan line is positioned to overlap an adjacent scan line and each dot includes a plurality of segments. The scanning assembly scans the laser beam through multiple scan lines to fully discharge each segment of each dot. The laser scanner assembly would typically be part of a laser printer.

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 scanning apparatus and method for entering a user input into the apparatus uses a non-electrical control device having a target undersurface, which can be manually manipulated to a particular setting. The particular setting of the non-electrical control device is determined by processing an image of at least a portion of the target undersurface captured by a scan sensor of the scanning apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image includes separating the image into colors, partitioning each one of the colors into data blocks, and transferring the data blocks to a printer in an order that the printer will apply the colors to a print medium by transferring, before each one of a plurality of time intervals, one of the data blocks for each one of the colors that will be applied to the print medium during the one of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scaling an input image.

Abstract: A laser scanner assembly comprising a rotating mirror, a first laser unit configured to generate at least a first laser beam, and a second laser unit configured to generate at least a second laser beam is provided. The rotating mirror is configured to direct the first laser beam along a first optical path during a first time period and along a second optical path during a second time period that is subsequent to the first time period, and the rotating mirror is configured to direct the second laser beam along a third optical path during the first time period and along a fourth optical path during the second time period.

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 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 laser scanning assembly generates a laser beam and scans the laser beam through a plurality of scan lines to form desired dots. Each scan line is positioned to overlap an adjacent scan line and each dot includes a plurality of segments. The scanning assembly scans the laser beam through multiple scan lines to fully discharge each segment of each dot. The laser scanner assembly would typically be part of a laser printer.

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.