Abstract: A multi-functional multi-engine print platform engines schedules and processes job in order to minimize visibility of image defects. The print platform includes at least two marking engines that process jobs, a marking engine analyzer that determines image quality defects of the at least two marking engines, and a scheduler that creates a plan to process a job with the at least two marking engines based at least on the image quality defects each of the at least two marking engines in order to minimize visibility of the defects in images reproduced by the at least two marking engine.

Abstract: A multi-functional print platform includes at least two marking engines that process information at different processing rates and a scheduler that distributes portions of a job across the at least two marking engines based at least on a content of the job and the different processing rates of the at least two marking engines.

Abstract: A multi-purpose print platform includes a low-cost-per-page print engine having at least two image development systems in which each of the development systems is associated with a different type of black toner.

Abstract: A method is provided for segmenting scanned image data in accordance with mixed raster content processing, further including windowing for purposes of extracting particularly classifiable objects, i.e., text, graphics or pictures. Application of predetermined parameter sets selected for more precise identification of the extracted objects are applied to the data for object extraction, object selection, color uniformity, and clustering for coloring similarity. A page background detection feature uses dual thresholding for segregating text (darker) areas from non-text (brighter) areas. Two histograms are created for the respective areas. Thresholds are generated from the two histograms and applied to the respective areas separately.

Abstract: A photosensitive apparatus, such as scanner, includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel having associated therewith a set of photosensors, each photosensor filtered to record a primary color. The photosensors are exposed to light of each primary color separately, thereby deriving test signals. A cross-color correction factor for the pixel is derived from the test signals. The cross-color correction factor is used in processing signals output from the pixel when an image is being recorded, so as to isolate the effects of signal crosstalk between closely-spaced photosensors of different colors.

Abstract: In a system including a plurality of elements, or plurality of subsystems of elements, each performing a process using process control to maintain operation within a latitude of a setpoint and having an output characteristic that contributes to an overall output quality specification of the system, a control method includes setting a desired overall output quality specification, and determining optimum setpoints and latitudes of the plurality of elements, within a range of possible setpoints and latitudes for each element, to achieve the desired overall output quality specification. The control method further includes dynamically re-setting the setpoints and/or re-allocating the latitudes of at least two of the plurality of elements (or subsystems of elements) to compensate for degradation of the attribute caused by variation in the output characteristic of one element within the desired overall output quality specification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving image quality of image data to be rendered may be provided using multiple mask MRC files. Such a method may involve processing a first binary bit map of image data to generate a processed binary bit map, assigning an edge tag to at least one pixel in the processed binary bit map, and assigning a gray/color value to at least one pixel in the processed binary bit map based on values of corresponding pixels in the first binary bit map. A system may include a processor that performs such processing and assigning, an image data source that supplies image data of an original image, and an image rendering device that provides a rendered image of the original image based on the at least one assigned edge tag and the at least one assigned gray/color value.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing two separable filters, LPP & HPP, that, when applied in sequence with a subtraction step, approximates the circularly symmetric frequency response achievable using a non-separable filter. The method of the present invention comprising: First, (a) selecting a cut-off frequency and designing therefrom a 1-D low pass filter LP such that: LP=[X?n, X?(n-1), . . . X0, . . . Xn-1, Xn]. Next, (b) obtaining a 2-D filter LPP by performing the operation: LP* X LP; wherein LP* is a column vector having the same entries as LP and LPP having dimensions given by: {2n+1, 2n+1}; and generating a 2-D countour plot therefor. Next, (c) designing a 1-D high pass filter HP such that: HP=[Y?m, Y?(m-1), . . . Y0, . . . Ym-1, Ym]. Next, (d) obtaining a 2-D filter HPP by performing the operation: HP* X HP; wherein HP* is a column vector having the same entries as HP and HPP having dimensions: {2m+1, 2m+1} and obtaining a 2-D contour plot therefor.