Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing intercolor bleed to improve print quality is provided. This technique includes the detection of an edge between a black portion color portion of an image to be printed, the edge being disposed in a region of color pixels and black pixels to be printed in a first configuration of drops, modifying the first configuration of drops to obtain a second configuration of drops, and printing the image by ejecting the drops from a printhead based on the second configuration.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves first estimating the common gamut of the colors that this printer is expected to reproduce. A left-to-right test target is printed in single-pass, uni-directional print mode, (printing on left-to-right scans only) and a color calibration table for left-to-right printing is generated. A right-to-left test pattern is printed in single-pass, uni-directional print mode, (printing on right-to-left scans only) and a color calibration table specific for right-to-left printing is generated. The next step of the present invention involves determining the mathematical intersection of the gamuts produced by printing in left-to-right mode only and by printing in right-to-left mode only. This is done by, first printing the left-to-right test target processed by the color calibration table associated with the primary print direction.

Abstract: An intelligent printer driver is provided. The printer driver includes a printer detector which detects characteristics of a printer to be used to generate a document unless the driver is specific to a known printer. A document detector detects content of the document to be printed. A matching module compares the characteristics of the printer and the content of the document and determines whether the printer and content of the document are mismatched. A notification module notifies a user if the printer and the document are mismatched and a recommendation module generates recommendations to the user as to modifications of the document which are determined to be mismatched by the printer. The user may then select a preview document shown on the monitor, may request further modifications to the document, may print the document without any modifications, or may abort the print process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for differentially processing image types within a document image to enhance the quality of on an image on a receiving medium. In one aspect of the invention, the method begins by receiving document image data including one or more image regions. The method determines for each image region whether the region includes any image data corresponding to a first image type. The method then prints regions including image data corresponding to the first image type according to a first pixel management process and prints regions not including image data corresponding to the first image type according to a second pixel management process.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for processing color image data to reduce intercolor bleeding in an image printed on a receiving medium. The method begins with the receipt of a target pixel that includes a plurality of separation pixels corresponding to individual color planes, the color planes including a black plane and at least one non-black plane.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for processing color image data to determine if a target pixel is within a border region near an interface. The method begins with the identification of a target pixel within the color image data and then determines if the target pixel is a black or a color pixel. If the target pixel is a black pixel, the method collects a first set of pixel statistics from a first window comprising the target pixel and pixels surrounding the target pixel and analyzes the first set of statistics to determine if the target pixel is within an N-pixel wide black border region near an interface. If the target pixel is a color pixel, the method collects a second set of pixel statistics from a second window comprising the target pixel and pixels surrounding the target pixel and analyzes the second set of statistics to determine if the target pixel is within an M-pixel wide color border region near an interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing color image data for printing on an inkjet printer to maintain edge quality in an image recorded on a receiving medium. The method begins with the receipt of color image data comprising a plurality of color planes that combine to form an array of composite pixels, the color planes including at least one black plane and at least one non-black plane, wherein each color plane comprises an array of separation pixels, each separation pixel having at least two states, a first state corresponding to depositing no ink at an image location and a second state corresponding to depositing ink at an image location. The method then identifies an interface between an black area and a non-printed area; defines an N-pixel wide border within the black area; and modifies the color image data corresponding to the N-pixel wide border to reduce the number of second state separation pixels in a non-black plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing color image data for printing on an inkjet printer to reduce intercolor bleeding in an image recorded on a receiving medium. The method receives a target pixel comprising multiple separation pixels, wherein each separation is associated with a separate color plane and has at least three states, a first state corresponding to depositing no ink drops, a second state corresponding to depositing one ink drop, and a third state corresponding to depositing more than one ink drop. The method further includes determining if the target pixel is within a black border region near a black/color interface or within a color border region near a black/color interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing color image data to maintain edge quality in an image recorded on a receiving medium. The method includes receiving a target pixel comprising multiple separation pixels, each separation being associated with a separate color plane and having at least three states, a first state corresponding to depositing no ink, a second state corresponding to depositing one ink drop, and a third state corresponding to depositing more than one ink drop; determining if the target pixel is within a black border region near a black/non-printed interface; and if so, setting the separation pixel associated with a black color plane to a selected black pixel state.

Abstract: A method for controlling a maintenance unit in a printer includes determining an image type of an image to be printed, the image type being selected from at least a first image type and a second image type different from the first image type, setting a maintenance interval for the maintenance unit in accordance with the image type, wherein a maintenance interval for the first image type is different from a maintenance interval for the second image type. A printer embodying such a method, and in particular a printer for printing an image an a substrate, includes a printhead, a maintenance unit for performing periodic maintenance on the printhead, and a controller for controlling said maintenance unit according to the described method.

Abstract: In an ejector for a thermal ink-jet printhead, a heating element exposing an area to liquid ink in the printhead includes an insulative layer around the lateral edges thereof, particularly those edges not having conductors associated therewith. This insulation creates a more uniform temperature distribution over the heating area, resulting in a uniform nucleation of a vapor bubble within the liquid ink.

Abstract: A thermal ink-jet printhead includes ejectors wherein a heating surface is disposed within a channel retaining liquid ink. The heating element within each ejector includes a converter for converting applied electrical energy to heat energy, and a distributor, for distributing the heat energy over a portion of the heating surface. The structure of the heating element allows the effective area of nucleation within the heating area, the size of which directly affects the volume of the ejected liquid ink droplet, to be varied with voltage and/or pulse width.

Abstract: A wide array ink jet printhead for use in an ink jet printing device and being capable of propelling ink to create a line on a recording medium in the device. The printhead includes a plurality of adjacent and generally linear printheads each having a first and second end ink jet. A plurality of electrodes are in communication with the ink jets. A microprocessor controls the electrodes to selectively provide a current signal representing digitalized data to the electrodes. When the digitalized signal is intended to create a line on the recording medium more than one printhead wide, the ink jets on adjacent printheads forming the line are initialized from a first end ink jet to a second end ink jet on a first printhead and in a reverse order from a second end ink jet to a first end ink jet on the adjacent printhead, the sequences commencing substantially simultaneously on each printhead.