Abstract: Engine response curves (RCs) can be used for streak compensation for printed documents. A feedback control paradigm can be included to effect RC compensation. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) can be used to represent each RC in the collection of spatial RC data as a linear combination of basis vectors. RCs are approximated by selecting the first few basis vectors, the approximation aiding in noise rejection and reducing computation in the controller by reducing dimensionality of the RC data from gray levels to the number of SVD bases selected. An optimal subset of RCs is selectable from the set of approximated RCs by clustering the SVD weights, the clustered SVD weights producing TRCs that span all engine response RCs generated by a printer. Compensation RCs are constructible using reduced number of bases and clustered SVD weights.

Abstract: As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate halftoning using a parametrically controlled spot function based on triangle tessellation, which in turn facilitates dot growth control of periodic halftone using an irregular seed structure. The spot function determines the shape of the halftone dot used to reproduce a given pixel. The spot function is well suited for growing halftone dots arrayed on a non-regular grid and can also be used for grids with regular order. The spot function includes adjustable parameters for controlling its sharpness and slope.

Abstract: As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate halftoning using boundaries and centers of a polygonal tiling with a parameterized spot function that operates within the tiles. Defining the halftone structure includes defining the polygonal tiling with a specification of the polygon boundaries and center, and setting and applying parameters of the spot function, which utilizes center-to-boundary distances. The tiling can be defined explicitly, by defining a tile structure, or providing centers, one per polygon, and vertices for the polygons. The vertices and centers are used to generate the polygon boundaries. The polygonal tiling can be regular (e.g., repetitive) or irregular, and can also be varied in a manner adapted to the image content or to data that is being embedded.

Abstract: An automated method and system for detecting the presence of a smoking product utilizing a near infrared video-processing unit in real time. One or more near infrared (NIR) video capturing units can be configured to capture a video feed. The video feed can be processed by the video-processing unit in order to detect a smoking product (e.g., a lit cigarette) within a field of view of the video capturing unit. A near infrared video sequence can be read and analyzed for the presence of a “hot spot” of a predetermined size based on pixel color information. In some cases, the motion of the hot spot can be tracked in response to the detection of the hot spot. An alarm signal can also be triggered in some cases, if the pattern of motion is consistent with that of a cigarette being smoked.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discriminating between tires. One or more images of an unknown tire are received. One or more tread features are extracted from the images. The class of the unknown tire is determined using a classifier that matches the tread features to known tread features.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate generating a color interference effect during opening and closing of a package for a product. The package includes first and second portions, each having printed thereon a color interference pattern. All or part of the second package portion is transparent, permitting the color interference pattern on the first package portion to be seen through the second package portion. The package portions are mated together (e.g., in a tube and sleeve arrangement or the like), such that the color interference patterns are aligned and overlap each other completely when the package is closed. As the package is opened (or closed), the interference patterns move or slide past each other, creating the visible color interference effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate generating a changing visual effect during opening and closing of a package for a product. The package includes first and second portions, each having thereon an polarized interference region with non-parallel planes of polarization. All or part of the second package portion is transparent to one polarization, permitting the polarized interference region on the first package portion to interact with a polarized interference region on the second package portion. The package portions are mated together (e.g., in a tube and sleeve arrangement or the like), such that the polarized regions are aligned and overlap each other when the package is closed, thereby permitting less light through due to the two overlapping planes of polarization. As the package is opened (or closed), the polarized regions move or slide past each other, creating the visual effect by changing the size and shape of the overlapping polarized region.

Abstract: As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate detecting non-uniformities (e.g., streaks or other defects) in a scanned image, and correcting the non-uniformities while accounting for geometric distortion therein. For instance a scanned image may include a light streak (e.g., higher L* values than expected) down the page at a given distance from a page edge. Paper shrinkage may also cause the image to be magnified relative to the page. Correction values (e.g., L* knockdown values or the like) are generated to bring the non-uniform L* values down to a darker level. To account for the magnification of the image, the correction values are electronically registered to uniformity data for the page, and applied at the correct location to account for the magnification. The corrected image is then printed by a marking device.

Abstract: A xerographic marking device includes a media transport path and at least one two-color image-on-image (IOI) drum module. Each two-color IOI drum module includes in a process order around a photoreceptor: a) a first charging unit; b) a first exposure unit; c) a first development unit; d) a second charging unit; e) a second exposure unit; and f) a second development unit, wherein the intermediate transfer unit receives a first toned image and a second toned image from the photoreceptor in a single transfer and transfers those toner images to print media to produce a toned image on print media. In various embodiments, the xerographic marking device is modular and includes a common paper transport module having a cavity and a marking engine sized to fit within the cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of measuring color-to-color registration includes: a) marking test pattern images on an image receiving member using a reference color separation station and a first color separation station over a process direction span in relation to selected target media and a cyclic characteristic of a multicolor marking platform, b) detecting each test pattern image, c) determining a registration measurement associated with the first color separation in relation to the reference color separation for each test pattern image, and d) determining a repeatable registration error pattern associated with the first color separation and the selected target media in relation to the cyclic characteristic based at least in part on the registration measurements determined in c). In one embodiment, the multicolor marking platform includes a marking engine, a controller, an image receiving member, a sensor, color registration measurement logic, and repeatable registration error determining logic.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, apparatus and systems to generate vector halftone data for rendering an image on an image output device. According to one aspect, a method generates vector halftone data as a function of contone pixel data for a given colorant at its nominal resolution and contone pixel data for the other colorants at a relatively lower resolution.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatus and systems related to watermark encoding via pixel spacing modulation. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method modulates the pixel spacing associated with an image to encode a watermark.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatus and systems related to watermark decoding via spectral analysis of an image. According to one exemplary method, spectral analysis is performed to decode a watermark within an image, where the pixel spacing associated with the image was modulated to encode the watermark.

Abstract: Provided is a 3-colorant DOD (dot-off-dot) periodic halftone geometry used to render an image. The DOD 3-colorant halftone geometry includes a base colorant halftone screen with hexagonally tiled halftone dots arranged in a hexagonal pattern, the hexagonally tiled halftone dots having a first fundamental frequency vector Vh1, a second fundamental frequency vector Vh2, and a third fundamental frequency vector Vh3, where Vh3 is substantially equivalent to Vh1+Vh2.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an image path that advantageously uses halftone classification to select appropriate mappings in gray-scale management and color management operations. The tags generated in the scanner help identify different classes of halftones. One is selected from several pixel-value mappings to provide proper compensation. That is, the one-dimensional and multi-dimensional pixel-value mappings within the color management module are selected based on halftone classification tags from the scanner. The tagging is either one bit that indicates “Low Frequency Halftone” and “Not LFHT”, or, more preferably, the tag is multi-bit indicating a frequency bin that contains the frequency of the input halftone. Additionally, the multi-bit tag can indicate particular halftone screen types, such as dot screens, line screens, stochastic screens or error diffusion.

Abstract: Vector halftoning and error diffusion are combined to provide a quantization method that yields high quality rendered images while demanding fewer system resources. For instance, the method is tolerant of resolution reductions in secondary or auxiliary channels to the vector halftoning process. Accordingly, these secondary pixel data channels can be sub-sampled and/or bit-depth reduced for transmission bandwidth conservation and/or reduction in data storage requirements. Restoring the resolution of the low resolution channels provides estimated image data to arrange or align with high resolution target channel data for the vector halftoning process. Error from marking decisions generated by the vector halftoning process is diffused to neighboring unprocessed pixels. The method also allows for the use of a small vector halftone threshold array while providing quantized images with fine texture and wide color gamuts. In some embodiments error diffusion is distributed according to vector error diffusion.

Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: A color correction method includes for each of a plurality of color separations of a digital image, establishing a tone reproduction curve in the form of a vector. The vector is a function of a plurality of basis vectors. The basis vectors account for colorant interactions between a primary colorant with which the color separation is to be rendered and at least one secondary colorant with which at least a second of the plurality of color separations is to be rendered. The vector includes modified input values corresponding to input values for the color separation which vary, depending on the input values of at least the second color separation. For a pixel of interest in the digital image, a modified input value for the color separation which corresponds to the input value of the given color separation is identified from the vector.

Abstract: An optical scanning device projects an image onto a photoreceptor within a print system. A laser light source generates a plurality of light beam outputs, wherein the light beam outputs are arranged in a two-dimensional parallelogram array within a substantially horizontal axis and a substantially vertical axis that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The two-dimensional parallelogram array has an odd number of rows of light beam outputs, wherein each row has an equal even number of light beam outputs. A rotating polygon mirror includes a plurality of deflecting surfaces, each of the deflecting surfaces deflects the light beams emitted from the laser light source. The light beam output array projects a first swath N onto the photoreceptor via the rotating mirror and swaths [N+1, N+2, . . . ] are subsequently placed at a level one-half down the number of light beam outputs of the previous swath. Each swath has the identical number of light emitting outputs as the two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A watermark is provided for use with images or image portions, such as saturated text. The watermark is provided as a modulation to the optical density of a public image or image portion wherein both modulated and unmodulated portions of the public image or image portion have an optical density that is beyond a threshold optical density beyond which the human visual system has a low sensitivity to optical density variations. Alternatively, the modulation is made at such a low amplitude as to be difficult to perceive by the human visual system. The modulation may be applied via an overprinting operation. Alternatively the modulation may be applied to image data prior to printing.