Abstract: An inkjet printer detects vibrations within the printer and compensates for the detected vibrations by adjusting a gap between the printheads and the media transport. Additionally, the inkjet printer detects media sheet heights that may cause damage as they pass through the print zone of the printer and adjusts the gap to enable the media sheets to pass through the print zone without contacting the printheads. A method of operating an inkjet printer so configured is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a digital printer that includes a media transport and an electronic imager disposed in a path of the media transport are presented. The techniques include: receiving an electronic image of a media sheet obtained by the electronic imager; identifying, from the electronic image of the media sheet, a print-prohibited region of the media sheet; generating a mask representing the print-prohibited region of the media sheet; and electronically storing in electronic persistent memory, in association with an identification of a type of the media sheet, a template comprising information regarding the media sheet type, where the template includes an identification of the print-prohibited region represented by the mask.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer iteratively performs printhead purges and test pattern analysis until either every printhead has a number of inoperative inkjets that is less than a predetermined threshold or a maximum number of iterations is reached. An error message is generated for each printhead having a number of inoperative inkjets that is greater than the predetermined threshold. The iterative performance of the printhead purges and test pattern analysis is performed automatically prior to the commencement of printing operations with the printer to remove subjective and time-consuming analysis by a printer operator.

Abstract: An inkjet printer detects vibrations within the printer and compensates for the detected vibrations by adjusting a gap between the printheads and the media transport. Additionally, the inkjet printer detects media sheet heights that may cause damage as they pass through the print zone of the printer and adjusts the gap to enable the media sheets to pass through the print zone without contacting the printheads. A method of operating an inkjet printer so configured is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer iteratively performs printhead purges and test pattern analysis until either every printhead has a number of inoperative inkjets that is less than a predetermined threshold or a maximum number of iterations is reached. An error message is generated for each printhead having a number of inoperative inkjets that is greater than the predetermined threshold. The iterative performance of the printhead purges and test pattern analysis is performed automatically prior to the commencement of printing operations with the printer to remove subjective and time-consuming analysis by a printer operator.

Abstract: A processor identifies print defect locations where printing defects occur and a assigns different sensitivity values to different zones of a job image being prepared for printing by a printing engine. The processor changes the orientation of the job image to a revised orientation, relative to print media, to avoid locating one or more high-sensitivity zones of the job image in the print defect locations. The high-sensitivity zones are ones of the zones having a sensitivity value above a threshold sensitivity value. The printing engine prints the job image on the print media at the revised orientation.

Abstract: A system, device and method for managing colors of a color printer in accordance with predetermined ink usages and cost objectives. Profiles comprising a corresponding set of job parameters are collected having an ink usage that satisfies a predetermined cost objective for the print job. Sheets are printed out in accordance with these acceptable profiles for proofing by a customer for image quality and selection of a profile to be used for the print job.

Abstract: A system, device and method for managing colors of a color printer in accordance with predetermined ink usages and cost objectives. Profiles comprising a corresponding set of job parameters are collected having an ink usage that satisfies a predetermined cost objective for the print job. Sheets are printed out in accordance with these acceptable profiles for proofing by a customer for image quality and selection of a profile to be used for the print job.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for managing colors of a color printer by printing color patches on a test sheet of paper associated with a paper type, determining spectral data of the color patches using an inline full width array spectrophotometer of the color printer, determining measurements based on the spectral data, determining that a measurement is equal to or within a range of a measurement associated with an existing paper profile; and printing subsequent sheets of paper associated with the paper type using parameters associated with the existing paper profile.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for managing colors of a color printer by printing color patches on a test sheet of paper associated with a paper type, determining spectral data of the color patches using an inline full width array spectrophotometer of the color printer, determining measurements based on the spectral data, determining that a measurement is equal to or within a range of a measurement associated with an existing paper profile; and printing subsequent sheets of paper associated with the paper type using parameters associated with the existing paper profile.

Abstract: A load control device, for controlling the amount of power delivered to a electrical load from an AC power source, comprises a user interface adapted to be received in an opening of a traditional-style faceplate and providing a plurality of functionalities on a single control button. A transitory actuation of the control button controls the power delivered to the load. Pulling the control button away from the load control device actuates an air-gap switch to provide an air-gap break in the electrical connection between the source and the load. A linear array of status indicators is provided on a front surface of the control button and displays a visual representation of the amount of power being delivered to the load. A plurality of light pipes are provided inside the control button to conduct the light from a plurality of light-emitting diodes to the front surface of the control button.

Abstract: A device and method for converting a multi-bit full color input image into a highlight color format for output on a highlight color image output terminal. The method and device analyze each pixel block on a block-by-block basis and assign each block to one of highlight color and non-highlight color. Each color is processed as a separate image file and can be combined after processing into a mixed raster file for output. At least the highlight color image portion can be converted to a single-bit file to reduce processing constraints.

Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides a night light feature on a user interface adapted to be provided in an opening of a traditional-style faceplate. The user interface comprises a frame, a pushbutton actuator, and an intensity actuator. Actuations of the pushbutton actuator change an internal switch mechanism between an open position and a closed position. A source of illumination, mounted internally to the dimmer switch and offset longitudinally from the switch mechanism, illuminates the pushbutton actuator and an elongated slot of the intensity actuator when the lighting load is off to provide the night light feature. The dimmer switch further comprises a plurality of lenses operable to redirect the light from the source of illumination towards the pushbutton actuator and the elongated slot.

Abstract: A device and method for converting a multi-bit full color input image into a highlight color format for output on a highlight color image output terminal. The method and device analyze each pixel block on a block-by-block basis and assign each block to one of highlight color and non-highlight color. Each color is processed as a separate image file and can be combined after processing into a mixed raster file for output. At least the highlight color image portion can be converted to a single-bit file to reduce processing constraints.

Abstract: Graphical user interface, system and method for independent control of image data including a plurality of image types may include a first set of icons that represent control functions that manipulate image data of a first image type and a second set of icons that represent control functions that manipulate image data of a second image type. The graphical user interface may enable, for example, and end user to control image data characteristics of a particular image type independently of controlling image data characteristics of a different image type within a page of a scanned document.

Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides a night light feature on a user interface adapted to be provided in an opening of a traditional-style faceplate. The user interface comprises a frame, a pushbutton actuator, and an intensity actuator. Actuations of the pushbutton actuator change an internal switch mechanism between an open position and a closed position. A source of illumination, mounted internally to the dimmer switch and offset longitudinally from the switch mechanism, illuminates the pushbutton actuator and an elongated slot of the intensity actuator when the lighting load is off to provide the night light feature. The dimmer switch further comprises a plurality of lenses operable to redirect the light from the source of illumination towards the pushbutton actuator and the elongated slot.