Abstract: A dual mode imaging device includes an input for supplying a recording medium to the printer. The recording medium can be erasable media and/or a non-erasable media. A carriage assembly within the imaging device includes guide rails, the carriage assembly reciprocal along the guide rails and parallel to an imaging surface of the recording medium. The carriage assembly includes an ink jet print head for imaging a non-erasable media in a first print mode and a write head having a UV imaging light source for imaging erasable media in a second print mode. The device further includes a heater provided on the carriage assembly for selectively heating the erasable media to one of an erase temperature and a UV imaging temperature. The heater can be proximate to or incorporated with the UV write head.

Abstract: An erasable media imaging device includes an input for supplying erasable media to the imaging device, the erasable media being one of an imaged erasable medium and a non-imaged erasable medium. An erase subsystem is provided for erasing an imaged erasable medium and a write subsystem is provided for imaging a non-imaged erasable medium, the erase subsystem and function decoupled from the write subsystem and function. In a corresponding method, one of an imaged erasable medium and a non-imaged erasable medium are supplied to the imaging device. The method further includes selecting only one of an erase mode and a write mode, the erase mode decoupled from the write mode, erasing an imaged erasable medium in the erase mode, and imaging the non-imaged erasable medium in the write mode.

Abstract: A dual mode imaging device includes an input for supplying a medium to the imaging device, the medium comprising at least one of an erasable paper, and a non-erasable paper. The erasable paper can be one of an imaged or a non-imaged erasable paper. A conventional imaging subsystem is provided for imaging the non-erasable paper. A heating subsystem is provided for heating an input medium to one of an erasing temperature, an imaging temperature, or a fusing temperature according to a type of job requirement. A cooling station selectively cools an erased medium to an imaging temperature. A write subsystem is provided for UV imaging an erased medium.

Abstract: A printing apparatus or printing system that uses multiple print engines to form an image on a substrate. The printing apparatus or printing system may be a surface printing system or a reverse printing system. Each of the multiple print engines has at least one color station. The color stations are arranged in the print engines and between the multiple print engines based on whether the printing system is a surface printing system or a reverse printing system to control the order in which colorant is formed on a substrate. Multiple print engines allow for, among other things, a greater color gamut and therefore assists in expansion of the standard color gamut.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving process spot color consistency using white and CMYK toners is disclosed. The present application employs traditional CMYK using the automated spot color editing approach and enhances this approach by applying a white toner to the printing substrate prior to applying the color. This new and novel method will improve the color printing technology for printing or alternately, applying the application of the white as a distinct separation layer for the color toner separations, on plastics, ceramics, woods, and other such non-paper materials.

Abstract: In an image rendering system, a method of compensating for system performance changes related to image attributes includes rendering a diagnostic image, sensing at least one image quality from the diagnostic image, updating an image attribute compensation tone reproduction curve based on the sensed image quality and rendering an image based on the updated image attribute compensation tone reproduction curve. For example, image attributes include print media type and a halftone screen selection. An image processing system operative to perform the method of compensation includes a set of image attribute compensation tone reproduction curves. Each curve of the set is associated with a particular combination of image attributes. For example, each curve is associated with a particular media type/halftone screen combination.

Abstract: A secure document processing system for receiving an original document and for printing a secure hardcopy version of the original document, wherein the secure hardcopy version includes a machine-readable encoded image signature which represents an image segment of the original document. Such hardcopy secure documents can be validated by inputting them to an secure document validation system operable to identify and process the machine readable encoded representation and in response to determine whether the recovered image signature indicates that the document is counterfeit or has been altered.

Abstract: A method for minimizing toner usage in minimum area coverage patches in a color printer including: reviewing a print job including job images; performing a pixel count for each color plane on a sheet level of the print job; converting the pixel count to a percent area coverage per color plane; in feed-forward mode comparing the area coverage per color plane to a reference value; activating or inactivating a color station depending on the comparison of the area coverage per color plane to the reference value; and printing a MAC patch of variable size with the color station if the area coverage per color plane is substantially less than a reference value.

Abstract: A method for minimizing toner usage in minimum area coverage patches in a color printer comprising: reviewing a print job comprising job images; performing a pixel count for each color plane on a sheet level of the print job; converting the pixel count to a percent area coverage per color plane; in feed-forward mode comparing the area coverage per color plane to a reference value; activating or inactivating a color station depending on the comparison of the area coverage per color plane to the reference value; and printing a MAC patch of variable size with said color station if the area coverage per color plane is substantially less than a reference value.

Abstract: A secure document processing system for receiving an original document and for printing a secure hardcopy version of the original document, wherein the secure hardcopy version includes a machine-readable encoded image signature which represents an image segment of the original document. Such hardcopy secure documents can be validated by inputting them to an secure document validation system operable to identify and process the machine readable encoded representation and in response to determine whether the recovered image signature indicates that the document is counterfeit or has been altered.

Abstract: In an image rendering system, a method of compensating for system performance changes related to image attributes includes rendering a diagnostic image, sensing at least one image quality from the diagnostic image, updating an image attribute compensation tone reproduction curve based on the sensed image quality and rendering an image based on the updated image attribute compensation tone reproduction curve. For example, image attributes include print media type and a halftone screen selection. An image processing system operative to perform the method of compensation includes a set of image attribute compensation tone reproduction curves. Each curve of the set is associated with a particular combination of image attributes. For example, each curve is associated with a particular media type/halftone screen combination.

Abstract: A dynamic job recovery system for an electronic reprographic printing system provides warranted performance by monitoring and ensuring variable data job integrity and consistent output appearance through close control of image quality and content integrity. The system monitoring the performance of a particular attribute indicative of one of image quality and variable data content integrity, preferably with real-time control, with one or more warranted performance sensors while in a customer print job mode. If monitored attributes are within desired specification and integrity, processing of the customer print job is continued. A warranted performance fault action is conducted if one or more attributes are out of range. When this occurs, print sheets in progress are purged to a purge tray (those with compromised integrity or quality and upstream incomplete sheets). Then, a diagnostic routine is initialized without machine cycle down to identify sources of the fault.

Abstract: A dynamic job recovery system for an electronic reprographic printing system provides warranted performance by monitoring and ensuring variable data job integrity and consistent output appearance through close control of image quality and content integrity. The system monitoring the performance of a particular attribute indicative of one of image quality and variable data content integrity, preferably with real-time control, with one or more warranted performance sensors while in a customer print job mode. If monitored attributes are within desired specification and integrity, processing of the customer print job is continued. A warranted performance fault action is conducted if one or more attributes are out of range. When this occurs, print sheets in progress are purged to a purge tray (those with compromised integrity or quality and upstream incomplete sheets). Then, a diagnostic routine is initialized without machine cycle down to identify sources of the fault.

Abstract: A dual level encryption method, and document, for providing and obtaining a substantially increased amount of optically readable information from an otherwise conventional and highly visible printed bar code pattern area on a document without interfering with the conventional optical reading of the conventional information in the bar code, comprising integrally printing a second and very much finer pattern of encoded optically machine readable glyph code or other such indicia within the bar code pattern area, containing a much higher level of information, to provide two different levels of information within the same area. Scanning the bar code pattern with a conventional bar code reader extracts conventional bar coded information embedded in the bar code without interference from the second indicia. Scanning the same bar code pattern area with a different, higher resolution, optical scanner extracts the much greater amount of information from the second, much finer, optically readable indicia pattern.

Abstract: A dual level encryption method, and document, for providing and obtaining a substantially increased amount of optically readable information from an otherwise conventional and highly visible printed bar code pattern area on a document without interfering with the conventional optical reading of the conventional information in the bar code, comprising integrally printing a second and very much finer pattern of encoded optically machine readable glyph code or other such indicia within the bar code pattern area, containing a much higher level of information, to provide two different levels of information within the same area. Scanning the bar code pattern with a conventional bar code reader extracts conventional bar coded information embedded in the bar code without interference from the second indicia. Scanning the same bar code pattern area with a different, higher resolution, optical scanner extracts the much greater amount of information from the second, much finer, optically readable indicia pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overloading operators in Page Description Language (PDL) defined graphics adjusts widths of lines in a manner that yields preferred line widths, such as to compensate for certain undesirable line growth characteristics of a target printer or display device. Line width can be controlled based on various attributes, such as color, size, width, pattern or orientation. Line width can be redefined to be wider, narrower or of a differing color to achieve a desired printed graphic. The method, performed within a decomposer, examines individual lines of a PDL defined graphic, determines if compensation is needed to achieve a desired printed output, and redefines a modification attribute to achieve the compensation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overloading operators in Page Description Language (PDL) defined graphics redefines the graphic, such as to compensate for certain undesirable line growth characteristics of a target printer or display device. Line width can be controlled based on various attributes, such as color, size, width, pattern or orientation. Line width can be redefined to be wider, narrower or of a differing color to achieve a desired printed graphic. Also, the method and apparatus can compensate for fill in of reverse-line and “cookie-cutter” holes. The method, performed within a decomposer, examines individual lines of a PDL defined graphic, determines if compensation is needed to achieve a desired printed output, and redefines an operator to achieve the compensation. The compensation can include addition of wider reverse (white) lines under colored lines to prevent the fill in.

Abstract: A control system for a xerographic printer utilizing hybrid scavengeless development in the marking process which selectively adjusts process parameters for closed loop feedback control to maintain a preselected tone reproduction curve. The curve is selected to enhance the effectiveness of the range of distinguishable densities in a printing device. The system monitors a series of control patches of varying area coverage density and compares the representative values from the sensor patches with preselected target values. When the measured value significantly departs from the target value, control steps are implemented to affect the toner powder cloud height in the development zone to either add or decrease the mass of toner powder deposited on the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A multi-color electrophotographic printing machine in which the tangential velocity of the photoconductive drum in the transfer zone is greater than the tangential velocity of the transfer drum having the sheet receiving the transferred images thereon. A buckle is formed in the sheet after the transfer zone, resulting in the sheet being tacked to the developed image on the photoconductive member and moving at the same tangential velocity as the developed image. This is achieved by a transfer sheet having one end secured fixedly over an aperture in the transfer drum. The other end of the transfer sheet is resiliently secured to the transfer drum. The sheet of support material receiving the transferred images is secured at the leading edge to the transfer sheet. In this way, the transfer sheet and the sheet of support material may be induced to form a buckle after the transfer zone enabling the sheet of support material and the developed image to move at the same tangential velocity.

Abstract: A donor roll for the conveyance of toner in a development system for an electrophotographic printer includes an outer surface of phenolic resin. The resin is doped to a suitable conductivity to facilitate a discharge time constant thereon of less than 300 microseconds. The donor roll is used in conjunction with an electrode structure as used in scavengeless development.