Abstract: An automated system for identifying a watering zone malfunction includes a sensor and a controller. The watering zone includes a valve that couples an input conduit to an output conduit. The output conduit terminates at one or more water distributors. The sensor is for capturing mechanical perturbations of the watering zone. The controller is configured to: store a profile defining at least one profile parameter based upon a transient operation of the zone in an intact state, receive the signal from the sensor during a watering operation when the zone is in an unknown state, compute a operation parameter based upon the signal for at least one time window of receiving the signal, determining a malfunction exists, and determine whether to take further action based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system is for fabricating or manufacturing a three-dimensional article. The three-dimensional printing system includes a substrate, a light engine, a radiation sensor, and a controller. The substrate has a surface positioned proximate to a build field. The surface supports a calibration target which includes or defines elongate light modulating bars disposed at two different orientations and including a Y-bar aligned with a Y-axis and an X-bar aligned with an X-axis. The light engine includes a plurality of projection modules including at least a first projection module and a second projection module. The first projection module configured to project an array of pixels onto a first image field. The second projection module configured to project an array of pixels onto a second image field.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes a support powder dispenser containing support powder, a metal powder dispenser containing metal powder, a build plate, a beam system, and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) receive information defining a two-dimensional (2D) slice of the 3D article, (2) position the build plate to receive a new layer of metal powder, (3) operate the metal powder dispenser to dispense the new layer of metal powder, the new layer of metal powder spanning the 2D slice and extending beyond the boundaries to define a zone of unfused powder, (4) operate the beam system to selectively fuse the new layer of powder over an area corresponding to the 2D slice, (5) operate the support powder dispenser to dispense a bounding contour of support powder proximate to or overlapping the zone of unfused powder.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system is for fabricating or manufacturing a three-dimensional article. The three-dimensional printing system includes a substrate, a light engine, a radiation sensor, and a controller. The substrate has a surface positioned proximate to a build field. The surface supports a calibration target which includes or defines elongate light modulating bars disposed at two different orientations and including a Y-bar aligned with a Y-axis and an X-bar aligned with an X-axis. The light engine includes a plurality of projection modules including at least a first projection module and a second projection module. The first projection module configured to project an array of pixels onto a first image field. The second projection module configured to project an array of pixels onto a second image field.

Abstract: An automated system for identifying a watering zone malfunction includes a sensor and a controller. The watering zone includes a valve that couples an input conduit to an output conduit. The output conduit terminates at one or more water distributors. The sensor is for capturing mechanical perturbations of the watering zone. The controller is configured to: store a profile defining at least one profile parameter based upon a transient operation of the zone in an intact state, receive the signal from the sensor during a watering operation when the zone is in an unknown state, compute a operation parameter based upon the signal for at least one time window of receiving the signal, determining a malfunction exists, and determine whether to take further action based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a vessel, a light engine, a fixture, a movement mechanism, a sensor, and a controller. The vessel is for containing a liquid photocurable resin and includes a transparent sheet defining a lower surface through which the resin can be illuminated. The light engine is disposed and configured to selectively illuminate the resin through the transparent sheet. The fixture is for supporting a three dimensional article of manufacture having a lower face immersed in the resin in facing relation with the transparent sheet. The movement mechanism is configured for controllably translating the fixture to adjust a vertical height of the lower face above the transparent sheet. The sensor is configured to monitor a transient displacement of the transparent sheet during the translation.

Abstract: A digital still camera is used for taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images. A printer, such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, is used for generating graphical representations of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print media such as a paper. A flash memory card, floppy diskette, direct data link or some other data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations of the plurality of images from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer includes programming for generating a combination proof sheet and order form. The combination proof sheet and order form can include an array of thumbnail images and a plurality of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas such as bubbles to be filled in by the user with a pencil. The printer includes a scanner and related circuitry and software for scanning the combination proof sheet and order form to detect the user designation areas completed by the user.

Abstract: A multifunction printing system, and a method for processing image files, which allows a sequence of multiple image processing operations on digital image files, such as photographs taken by a digital camera, to be specified and initiated at a single point in time. The system includes a command interface through which default values for image processing parameters can be set and an initial image processing operation initiated. The system also includes a scanner for receiving a combination proof sheet and order form. Prior to scanning, the proof sheet is marked by the user to identify the image files to be processed, any overriding image processing parameter values for some or all of the images, and any additional image processing operations to be performed. Image processing operations include printing image files, storing image files on a mass storage device, and sending image files via fax or e-mail.

Abstract: A digital still camera is used for taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images. A printer, such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, is used for generating graphical representations of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print media such as a paper. A flash memory card, floppy diskette, direct data link or some other data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations of the plurality of images from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer includes programming for generating a combination proof sheet and order form. The combination proof sheet and order form can include an array of thumbnail images and a plurality of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas such as bubbles to be filled in by the user with a pencil. The printer includes a scanner and related circuitry and software for scanning the combination proof sheet and order form to detect the user designation areas completed by the user.

Abstract: A digital still camera is used for taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images. A printer, such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, is used for generating graphical representations of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print media such as a paper. A flash memory card, floppy diskette, direct data link or some other data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations of the plurality of images from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer includes programming for generating a combination proof sheet and order form. The combination proof sheet and order form can include an array of thumbnail images and a plurality of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas such as bubbles to be filled in by the user with a pencil. The printer includes a scanner and related circuitry and software for scanning the combination proof sheet and order form to detect the user designation areas completed by the user.

Abstract: Methods for storing and retrieving digital image files, such as photographs taken by a digital camera, to and from an archival image storage system such as a file server or a mass storage medium. A combination proof sheet and order form is printed containing an array of thumbnail images, corresponding image selection user designation areas, and a storage selection user designation area markable by the user to specify selected images to be stored on or retrieved from the image storage system. The form is scanned to detect the user designation areas completed by the user, and then perform the indicated operation. A printing system includes programming for generating, scanning, and processing the form, and for storing and retrieving the selected images.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a lens and a plurality of color filters adjacent the lens. An array of detectors such as CCDs each receive, through the lens and a corresponding one of the color filters, light reflected from a scene. Each detector outputs a signal representative of an amount of light it receives. Circuitry is connected to the array for processing the signals from the detectors and generating a set of digital image data including a chromaticity value and a luminance value of a plurality of pixels representing an uncorrected image of the scene. A control circuit maps a two-dimensional representation of the digital image data into a two-dimensional representation of a set of reference image data and adjusts selected ones of the values of the set of digital image data in accordance with a predetermined transform to white balance the uncorrected image of the scene and produce a modified set of digital image data representing a corrected image of the scene.

Abstract: Methods for storing and retrieving digital image files, such as photographs taken by a digital camera, to and from an archival image storage system such as a file server or a mass storage medium. A combination proof sheet and order form is printed containing an array of thumbnail images, corresponding image selection user designation areas, and a storage selection user designation area markable by the user to specify selected images to be stored on or retrieved from the image storage system. The form is scanned to detect the user designation areas completed by the user, and then perform the indicated operation. A printing system includes programming for generating, scanning, and processing the form, and for storing and retrieving the selected images.

Abstract: A digital still camera is used for taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images. A printer, such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, is used for generating graphical representations of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print media such as a paper. A flash memory card, floppy diskette, direct data link or some other data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations of the plurality of images from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer includes programming for generating a combination proof sheet and order form. The combination proof sheet and order form can include an array of thumbnail images and a plurality of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas such as bubbles to be filled in by the user with a pencil. The printer includes a scanner and related circuitry and software for scanning the combination proof sheet and order form to detect the user designation areas completed by the user.

Abstract: A digital still camera is used for taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images. A printer, such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, is used for generating graphical representations of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print media such as a paper. A flash memory card, floppy diskette, direct data link or some other data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations of the plurality of images from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer includes programming for generating a combination proof sheet and order form. The combination proof sheet and order form can include an array of thumbnail images and a plurality of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas such as bubbles to be filled in by the user with a pencil. The printer includes a scanner and related circuitry and software for scanning the combination proof sheet and order form to detect the user designation areas completed by the user.

Abstract: A multifunction printing system, and a method for processing image files, which allows a sequence of multiple image processing operations on digital image files, such as photographs taken by a digital camera, to be specified and initiated at a single point in time. The system includes a command interface through which default values for image processing parameters can be set and an initial image processing operation initiated. The system also includes a scanner for receiving a combination proof sheet and order form. Prior to scanning, the proof sheet is marked by the user to identify the image files to be processed, any overriding image processing parameter values for some or all of the images, and any additional image processing operations to be performed. Image processing operations include printing image files, storing image files on a mass storage device, and sending image files via fax or e-mail.

Abstract: A color printer receives P, N-bit values indicating a computer generated color to be printed, there being 2.sup.NP possible combinations of bits in the P, N-bit color values. Each N-bit value has a least significant bit (LSB). Upon receiving P, N-bit color values, the color printer creates an address from P combined multiple-bit segments of each of the received N-bit values, each multiple bit segment excluding at least a LSB of each N-bit value. The color printer includes a cache memory having substantially less addresses than 2.sup.NP, each cache address including first and second entries, a first entry being P values indicative of a computer generated color and a second entry being P values usable by the color printer to reproduce the first entry. A processor determines if there is a match at an address created from a received computer color value between a first entry and the received computer color value, the match disregarding an LSB of each N-bit value comprising the first entry at the address.

Abstract: A color display screen displays a calibration color patch and a comparison color patch. The calibration color patch manifests a calibration color of a predetermined intensity, and the comparison color patch manifests a comparison color derived from a user determined input value. The system is controlled by a processor and is responsive to a user's indication of a perceived color match between a calibration color patch and a comparison color patch, to determine a transfer function that enables conversion of a value that generated the comparison color to a value assigned to the calibration color. The processor is further responsive to further perceived color matches of first and second color patches with first and second different intensity calibration color patches, respectively, to determine if first and second transfer functions determined for the first and second comparisons are within a transfer function threshold value of each other.