Abstract: A printing system includes first and second communicatively linked printers, each including a print engine and a processor which controls the operation of the respective print engine. A scanner, associated with the first printer, scans a hardcopy document and generates image data therefrom. The scanner is for communicating the image data to the first printer. A graphical user interface is provided through which user selections are communicated to at least one of the scanner and the first printer. The first processor has a first mode of operation in which a print job derived from the image data is printed on the first print engine and a second mode of operation in which a print job is exported to the second printer for printing. At least one of the first and second modes of operation is invoked at least in part by user interaction with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Methods and devices receive color settings into a computerized device. The color settings can identify at least one first color that is indistinguishable from at least one second color by a user. Such methods and devices also receive instructions into the computerized device to output an item has at least one feature having a feature color. Based on the feature color being included within the color settings, these methods and devices automatically alter the item using the computerized device by optionally changing the feature color to a black-based color and automatically adding text to the feature in the altered item using the computerized device. The added text describes the feature color. Also, such methods and devices output the altered item from the computerized device.

Abstract: Methods and devices receive color settings into a computerized device. The color settings can identify at least one first color that is indistinguishable from at least one second color by a user. Such methods and devices also receive instructions into the computerized device to output an item has at least one feature having a feature color. Based on the feature color being included within the color settings, these methods and devices automatically alter the item using the computerized device by optionally changing the feature color to a black-based color and automatically adding text to the feature in the altered item using the computerized device. The added text describes the feature color. Also, such methods and devices output the altered item from the computerized device.

Abstract: A portable electronics distress detection system includes at least one strain gage and an alarm circuit. The strain gage is mountable to an element of the portable electronic device. The alarm circuit includes a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, with each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge. When a mechanical stress is imposed on the portable electronic device, the strain gage changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge. The alarm circuit activates the portable electronic device user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A portable electronics distress detection system includes at least one strain gage and an alarm circuit. The strain gage is mountable to an element of the portable electronic device. The alarm circuit includes a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, with each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge. When a mechanical stress is imposed on the portable electronic device, the strain gage changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge. The alarm circuit activates the portable electronic device user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second communicatively linked printers, each including a print engine and a processor which controls the operation of the respective print engine. A scanner, associated with the first printer, scans a hardcopy document and generates image data therefrom. The scanner is for communicating the image data to the first printer. A graphical user interface is provided through which user selections are communicated to at least one of the scanner and the first printer. The first processor has a first mode of operation in which a print job derived from the image data is printed on the first print engine and a second mode of operation in which a print job is exported to the second printer for printing. At least one of the first and second modes of operation is invoked at least in part by user interaction with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: The method disclosed enables a user to load a document printing job into the document loading station and select the desired mode of printing from a user input adjacent the document loading station. The system automatically selects the appropriate remote printer, based upon the user selected mode and executes the printing job. The system indicates to the user the location of the printer used for the job. If the user elects not to select a mode, the system defaults to the closest printer to the loading station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provide consistent output across a plurality of different hard copy output devices which may be included in a system comprising an image data source and a hard copy output device. The image data source supplies image data to a printable image data adjusting apparatus. The image data supplied may be in a device-dependent color space or a device-independent color space. If the image data is in a device-dependent color space, the printable image data adjusting apparatus first converts the image data into device-independent image data and stores it in memory as target image data. If the image data is already device-independent image data, the image data are simply stored in the memory of the printable image data adjusting apparatus as target image data. The printable image data adjusting apparatus then uses the target image data to generate printable image data. The hard copy output device uses the printable image data to generate a hard copy image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using feedback and feedforward in generating predictable, reproducible and pleasing images in a distributed digital image processing system monitors presentation images and provides feedback to a customer that assembled the original image. The originating customer can view the image as it appears on a remote output device and/or adjust the image so that the presentation image will match the image appearing on the image originating device. The system can also automatically adjust the digital images as they are processed by the system to insure that a remotely outputted presentation image matches the original image on the image originating device or on a local output device proximal with the image originating device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically upgrading the color calibration for an electrophotographic printer (or other digital document viewing device) using a color compensator is proposed. Initially, a fairly large number of colors are printed and measured. From this information a color correction is determined and stored in a high density compensator. A small number of color patch samples are printed and measured at regular intervals during the use of the printing machine. This low density information which is periodically updated compensates for slow drift in the high density compensator. Each time the small patch printing process is repeated a different set of colors is used to assure that all regions within the gamut of the machine are updated uniformly. A similar process can be used to maintain the gray scale fidelity in a black and white printer or digital document display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring colorimetric, gloss and registration data on a substrate exiting a printing machine. A detector using a series of red, green, and blue filters collects image data and maps the collected data to absolute color coordinates. The apparatus is factory calibrated to the specific colorants used in the printing machine. Gloss measurements are made using the same apparatus. Registration data between the various color separations is also obtained and feedback delivered to the various imaging modules. The detector allows on the fly data to be obtained and machine specific corrections to be made.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a robotic mechanism is disclosed which is capable of grasping cylindrical workpieces having a varying diameter off center and holding it with six degrees of freedom. The end effector has a plurality of sets of fingers, each set having three fingers which radially approach and retract from the workpiece with a spacing of 120 degrees between the movement direction of the fingers. The movement of each of the fingers in a set are coplanar, and the planar movement of each set of fingers are parallel with each other. Each finger is actuated by its own hydraulic cylinder which causes it to independently engage the workpiece. The cylinders are hydraulically operated by a hydraulic system having a pressurizing pump for flowing fluid from a tank through a bidirectional valve to a series of pilot operated check valves and then to the cylinders. The setting of the bidirectional valve determines whether the fingers grasp the workpiece or release it.

Abstract: A piezoelectric bimorph scanner is disclosed which has a flexural beam attached to the free end of a cantilever mounted piezoelectric bimorph crystal. A mirror is bonded to the flexural beam a predetermined distance from the bimorph crystal. An AC voltage of predetermined frequency is applied to the bimorph crystal causing the flexural beam to oscillate with a node at the center of the mirror. The mirror rotates about the node rather than swinging in an arc, enabling the scanner to deflect a collimated light beam over a larger deflection angle than heretofore possible without additional light beam control apparatus. In an alternate embodiment, a laser diode may be mounted on the flexural beam instead of the mirror, further reducing costs and components.