Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing submission of output jobs to a network of output devices, using an output job manager to assign jobs to devices. The assignments are done automatically, based on policies associated with users, output devices, organizations responsible for the output devices, and the system as a whole. User output preferences are expressed as one or more user policies. System and organizational constraints associated with users and output devices and the managing of groups of output devices are also expressed as policies. An optimizing scheduler calculates tradeoffs between user preferences, and factors in constraints to optimize submission of jobs to output devices, and to optimize use and wait times on the output devices.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a halftoned image is disclosed. The method and system comprise scaling the halftoned image by performing pel repetition utilizing an error diffusion algorithm such that artifacts are minimized. According a system and method in accordance with the present invention performs pel repetition using error diffusion technology, so that any resulting “artifacts” are realized as high-frequency image addition, making them much less visible. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides adjustability in the computational complexity of the scaling, so that quality can be traded off continuously against the amount of processing power required.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient scaling in the transform domain are provided when transform coefficient data is provided as an input to a data processing system, comprising generating a first matrix from transform coefficient data; zeroing out a row or column of, or inserting a row or column of zeros into, the first matrix; generating a second matrix by applying a one-dimensional inverse transform to the first matrix with the zeroed-out at least one row, the at least one column, the inserted at least one row of zeros or the at least one column of zeros; generating a third matrix by regrouping the second matrix; generating a combined matrix by applying a forward transform to the third matrix; and the data processing system scaling the data represented by the transform coefficient data by applying the combined matrix to the transform coefficient data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing submission of output jobs to a network of output devices, using an output job manager to assign jobs to devices. The assignments are done automatically, based on policies associated with users, output devices, organizations responsible for the output devices, and the system as a whole. User output preferences are expressed as one or more user policies. System and organizational constraints associated with users and output devices and the managing of groups of output devices are also expressed as policies. An optimizing scheduler calculates tradeoffs between user preferences, and factors in constraints to optimize submission of jobs to output devices, and to optimize use and wait times on the output devices.

Abstract: A method and system for efficient scaling in the transform domain, wherein transform coefficient data is provided as an input to a data processing system and scaled in the transform domain by application of a combined matrix. Some embodiments utilize discrete cosine transform data. One embodiment of the invention generates a combined matrix for one-dimensional scaling by selecting a rational scaling factor and matrix dimension value, generating a matrix with some zero values, applying a one-dimensional inverse transform, regrouping, and applying a one-dimensional forward transform. One application of the invention performs up-scaling operations, and another performs down-scaling operations. The invention also provides for two-dimensional scaling by selecting horizontal and vertical scaling parameters and generating first and second combined matrices responsive to the parameters and combining them into a single combined matrix. The invention may also incorporate a predetermined cost function.

Abstract: A plurality of patterns such as solid patterns, edge patterns, half-tone patterns, and verbatim data are losslessly represented in a compressed raster data stream. A pattern selection module selects among the various patterns to provide the best combination of lossless representations according to particular criteria such as storage compactness. A packet formatting module packs multiple pattern identifiers and lossless representations into a packet which may be transmitted compactly. Upon receipt, a packet deformatting module unpacks the pattern identifiers and lossless representations from the packet. After deformatting, a pattern decoding module uses the pattern identifier to activate appropriate pattern generation modules. Each pattern generation module regenerates data according to an indicated pattern to recreate the original raster data.

Abstract: A system and method for processing multiple arbitrary sized data elements in a register. A method of the invention comprises the steps of: creating a mask register that defines a set of arbitrary sized segments for a register; storing a plurality of arbitrary sized data elements in a segmented data register arranged in accordance with the mask register, wherein the arbitrary sized data elements are sign extended; simultaneously operating on each of the of the data elements in the segmented data register to generate a set of resulting data elements in response to a machine instruction, wherein the resulting data elements depend on each other; and unpacking the resulting data elements to provide a plurality of arbitrary sized results that are independent of each other.

Abstract: A method for scaling a signal sample rate includes interpolating between at least two scaling ratios to calculate an arbitrary scaling ratio, using a predetermined interpolation algorithm, and scaling a sample rate for a first portion of the signal using a first scaling ratio, and scaling a sample rate for a second portion of the signal using a second scaling ratio, to form a scaled signal having an average scaling ratio equal to the arbitrary scaling ratio.

Abstract: A plurality of patterns such as half-tone patterns, solid patterns, edge patterns, and verbatim data are losslessly represented in a compressed raster data stream. A pattern selection module selects among the various patterns to provide the best combination of lossless representations according to particular criteria such as storage compactness. Half-tone patterns are compressed by exploiting the characteristics of the half-tone threshold screen used to generate the half-tone image. A half-tone pattern codebook is produced by half-tone screening a calibration image. A packet formatting module packs multiple pattern identifiers and lossless representations into a packet which may be transmitted compactly. Upon receipt, a packet deformatting module unpacks the pattern identifiers and lossless representations from the packet. After deformatting, a pattern decoding module uses the pattern identifier to activate appropriate pattern generation modules.

Abstract: A compiler for data processing outputs lower-level code for packing multiple signed data elements per register into a processor's registers using the rules set forth herein, and when executed, the code simultaneously operates on the elements in a register in a single cycle using the same operand. The elements can be independent of each other as defined by compiler directives, and the sizes of the elements in a register can differ from each other. Moreover, a relatively large element can be split across multiple registers. In an exemplary application, a data stream representing two images can be simultaneously processed using the same number of registers as have been required to process a single image. Or, a single image can be processed approaching N-times faster, where N is the number of elements per register. In any case, the present invention results in a significant increase in processing efficiency.

Abstract: A method and system for a printing device is disclosed. The method and system comprise printing a test pattern on a print medium and generating a digital image of the printed test pattern by an imaging device. The method and system include analyzing an interference pattern to measure for distortion of the print medium and calibrating the printing device based upon the measured distortion. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes the reticle patterns, which are printed in the margins of the paper, which are measured real-time during printing. The interference or Moiré patterns created by superimposed reticles may be used to measure image distortion, process direction misalignment, and misregistration caused by web distortion.

Abstract: A method triggers a printer (106) to receive a trigger to initiate an embedding algorithm (220), receive the print data (228); read the printer configuration data (230); encode the configuration data (230); insert the configuration data (230) into the print data (228); send the print data (228) to a printhead (206); and print the data. The printed data is then scanned, run through analysis software, and the embedded data is returned. The embedded data can then be used to diagnose printer problems or as a digital notary.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing electromagnetic drying of printed media. A resonant cavity allows support of standing waves along many radial axes throughout the resonant cavity. The electromagnetic drying unit allows forced air to be introduced into the resonant cavity, thereby reducing moisture within the resonant cavity and extending the life of the resonant cavity. Input and output openings may be arranged longitudinally along the resonant cavity and may be designed to substantially reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from them during operation. A honeycomb feature at the end of the resonant cavity may allow egress of the forced air, while substantially reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the end of the resonant cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for data processing includes packing multiple signed data elements per register into a processor's registers using the rules set forth herein, and simultaneously operating on the elements in a register in a single cycle using the same operand. The elements can be independent of each other, and the sizes of the elements in a register can differ from each other. Moreover, a relatively large element can be split across multiple registers. In an exemplary application, a data stream representing two images can be simultaneously processed using the same number of registers as have been required to process a single image. Or, a single image can be processed approaching N-times faster, where N is the number of elements per register. In any case, the present invention results in a significant increase in processing efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for processing multiple arbitrary sized data elements in a register. A method of the invention comprises the steps of: creating a mask register that defines a set of arbitrary sized segments for a register; storing a plurality of arbitrary sized data elements in a segmented data register arranged in accordance with the mask register, wherein the arbitrary sized data elements are sign extended; simultaneously operating on each of the of the data elements in the segmented data register to generate a set of resulting data elements in response to a machine instruction, wherein the resulting data elements depend on each other; and unpacking the resulting data elements to provide a plurality of arbitrary sized results that are independent of each other.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing electromagnetic drying of printed media. A resonant cavity allows support of standing waves along many radial axes throughout the resonant cavity. The electromagnetic drying unit allows forced air to be introduced into the resonant cavity, thereby reducing moisture within the resonant cavity and extending the life of the resonant cavity. Input and output openings may be arranged longitudinally along the resonant cavity and may be designed to substantially reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from them during operation. A honeycomb feature at the end of the resonant cavity may allow egress of the forced air, while substantially reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the end of the resonant cavity.

Abstract: A method for scaling a signal sample rate includes interpolating between at least two scaling ratios to calculate an arbitrary scaling ratio, using a predetermined interpolation algorithm, and scaling a sample rate for a first portion of the signal using a first scaling ratio, and scaling a sample rate for a second portion of the signal using a second scaling ratio, to form a scaled signal having an average scaling ratio equal to the arbitrary scaling ratio.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing electromagnetic drying of printed media. A resonant cavity allows support of standing waves along many radial axes throughout the resonant cavity. The electromagnetic drying unit allows forced air to be introduced into the resonant cavity, thereby reducing moisture within the resonant cavity and extending the life of the resonant cavity. Input and output openings may be arranged longitudinally along the resonant cavity and may be designed to substantially reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from them during operation. A honeycomb feature at the end of the resonant cavity may allow egress of the forced air, while substantially reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the end of the resonant cavity.

Abstract: A plurality of patterns such as solid patterns, edge patterns, half-tone patterns, and verbatim data are losslessly represented in a compressed raster data stream. A pattern selection module selects among the various patterns to provide the best combination of lossless representations according to particular criteria such as storage compactness. A packet formatting module packs multiple pattern identifiers and lossless representations into a packet which may be transmitted compactly. Upon receipt, a packet deformatting module unpacks the pattern identifiers and lossless representations from the packet. After deformatting, a pattern decoding module uses the pattern identifier to activate appropriate pattern generation modules. Each pattern generation module regenerates data according to an indicated pattern to recreate the original raster data.

Abstract: A plurality of patterns such as half-tone patterns, solid patterns, edge patterns, and verbatim data are losslessly represented in a compressed raster data stream. A pattern selection module selects among the various patterns to provide the best combination of lossless representations according to particular criteria such as storage compactness. Half-tone patterns are compressed by exploiting the characteristics of the half-tone threshold screen used to generate the half-tone image. A half-tone pattern codebook is produced by half-tone screening a calibration image. A packet formatting module packs multiple pattern identifiers and lossless representations into a packet which may be transmitted compactly. Upon receipt, a packet deformatting module unpacks the pattern identifiers and lossless representations from the packet. After deformatting, a pattern decoding module uses the pattern identifier to activate appropriate pattern generation modules.