Abstract: An automated auctioning method is disclosed having a multifunction (pre-auction) stage (501), an auction stage (502) and a fulfillment stage (503). During the multifunction stage it is possible to buy an element (507), make an offer (506) or place an auction bid (504). During the auction stage it is only possible to place an auction bid.

Abstract: The sale of items is automated. Elements (1304) are displayed that are available for sale and receptive to offers being made. Each of the elements is displayed with a region (1405) receptive to an offer price being entered. In response to selecting a grouping function (1501), individual items are placed within a group; and as such, the group is provided with a single region receptive to an offer price being entered for the group as a whole.

Abstract: Elements (1911, 1912) are auctioned that represent similar examples of an item that are substantially mutually exchangeable and are susceptible to being ranked in order of perceived value. The method involves arranging said elements in a list (2203) of perceived value and allocating a standard price for each of said elements and processing the standard price in combination with a price modifier to produce an actual price that may by higher than, lower than or the same as said standard price. Bidders are invited to bid with a proposed price modifier (not an actual price); and the bids are ranked with respect to the price modifiers such that the bidders that bid the more attractive price modifiers are allocated the more highly ranked elements.

Abstract: A method of automating the sale of items in which an item is offered for sale at a discount over a predetermined period of time (1001,1002), wherein said discount varies and is defined as a function with respect to time such that the available discount varies with time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation are provided that receive input data, desired output response data and measured (or specified) output response data for a print output device, and determine converted input data that accounts for differences between the measured (or specified) output response data and the desired output responses of the printer. Converted input data may then be provided to a conventional colorant limitation algorithm for performing colorant limitation. Colorant-limited input data are then de-converted by accounting for differences between the desired output response data and the measured (or specified) output responses of the printer.

Abstract: Color processing methods and apparatus are provided that blend the gray component replacement (“GCR”) level of arbitrarily-specified input color data with an estimate of the GCR level of an output profile, and then converts processed device-independent data to output CMYK data that has a GCR level that substantially matches the GCR level of the input CMYK data. Methods and apparatus in accordance with this invention may be used to receive CMYK data that approximates a spot color, and provide tints of spot colors using an output profile that has a GCR level that differs from the GCR level of the input color data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation are provided that receive input data, desired output response data and measured (or specified) output response data for a print output device, and determine converted input data that accounts for differences between the measured (or specified) output response data and the desired output responses of the printer. Converted input data may then be provided to a conventional colorant limitation algorithm for performing colorant limitation. Colorant-limited input data are then de-converted by accounting for differences between the desired output response data and the measured (or specified) output responses of the printer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for creating one or more compressed image tiles based on a compressed file that describes a digital image. In particular, the compressed image tiles are created without fully decompressing the compressed file. Each compressed image tile includes data corresponding to a portion of the digital image, and is independent of other compressed image tiles (i.e., may be decompressed without decompressing any other tile). In response to requests to display a desired portion of the digital image at a specific resolution, the compressed image tiles corresponding to the desired portion and the specified resolution are communicated via a band limited communication channel. In this regard, the portions of the digital image may be quickly communicated and displayed, without having to wait for the entire compressed file to be communicated over the band limited channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a PDL File that describes a print job, processing the PDL commands in the file, identifying print settings and printer factors that may affect the entire print job, and reporting such print settings and printer factors. Methods and apparatus are also provided for receiving a PDL File that describes a print job, processing the PDL commands in the file, identifying any objects in the print job that have associated predetermined attributes, and reporting the print objects that have any such predetermined attributes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dynamically halftoning image data, substantially in real-time. Halftone threshold values are calculated and stored in memory, and halftone output values are calculated for the portions of the image data that will be displayed on a display device. Halftone screen parameters may be modified, and new halftone screen threshold values may be calculated for any affected halftone screens. For unaffected halftone screens, the previously stored threshold values may be retrieved from memory. In addition, the portion of the image to be displayed may be modified, and the halftone output values of the new portion may be calculated and then displayed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for correcting gamut limitations of a color device. A method includes creating a predefined color space for use in gamut correction due to the gamut limitations of the color device, such as a color printer, and producing a set of color data values using the predefined color space. The set of color data values is for use in converting from a first color space (e.g., RGB) to a second color space (e.g., CMYK). A method in another embodiment includes creating a first color separation table, creating a predefined color space, creating a second color separation table for converting values of colors in the predefined color space to values in a colorant space, and creating a composite color separation lookup table by using a plurality of first values from the first color separation table and using a plurality of second values from the second color separation table. The predefined color space is typically based upon a set of redefined chromaticities which are used in a transformation function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for correcting gamut limitations of a color device. A method includes creating a predefined color space for use in gamut correction due to the gamut limitations of the color device, such as a color printer, and producing a set of color data values using the predefined color space. The set of color data values is for use in converting from a first color space (e.g., RGB) to a second color space (e.g., CMYK). A method in another embodiment includes creating a first color separation table, creating a predefined color space, creating a second color separation table for converting values of colors in the predefined color space to values in a colorant space, and creating a composite color separation lookup table by using a plurality of first values from the first color separation table and using a plurality of second values from the second color separation table. The predefined color space is typically based upon a set of redefined chromaticities which are used in a transformation function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for correcting gamut limitations of a color device. A method includes creating a predefined color space for use in gamut correction due to the gamut limitations of the color device, such as a color printer, and producing a set of color data values using the predefined color space. The set of color data values is for use in converting from a first color space (e.g., RGB) to a second color space (e.g., CMYK). A method in another embodiment includes creating a first color separation table, creating a predefined color space, creating a second color separation table for converting values of colors in the predefined color space to values in a colorant space, and creating a composite color separation lookup table by using a plurality of first values from the first color separation table and using a plurality of second values from the second color separation table. The predefined color space is typically based upon a set of redefined chromaticities which are used in a transformation function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for adding pseudo-random noise and bias to an input pixel value to reduce banding effects and to produce additional highlights in the output. The method adds the value of a bias function and a pseudo-random noise value to the input pixel value. The sum is shifted a predetermined number of spaces. The result of the shifting step is then added to the input pixel value. A predetermined constant is subtracted from the above sum. A clipping procedure is then applied to calculate the final output value. Three properties of the bias function are to have a value of no ink map to a value of no ink, to have a value of full ink map to a value of full ink, and to add highlights.