Abstract: A matte laser printer produces a photographic like image on media by repeatedly fusing the toners deposited thereon. In a preferred embodiment, repeated fusing is accomplished by utilizing a duplexing path in the printer. In an alternate embodiment, a processing flow direction of the media is selectively reversed after fusing to enable multiple fusing operations. In either case, toner forming the image on the media is more fully fused, thereby reducing light scatter, such that a photographic like image is produced.

Abstract: A color mapping scheme is provided which enables a K-only black point while minimizing interpolator image artifacts. Specifically, a system and method of reducing image artifacts for a color imaging device include implementing a color map so that no C, M or Y color value that is used in defining the black point is produced, except at the black point. The system and method further include implementing a halftone ramp so that: (i) a halftone pattern is selected to provide no rendering for any C, M or Y color value that is used in defining the black point, and (ii) a halftone pattern is selected to provide a full rendering for any K color value that is used in defining the black point. The color map is also implemented so that no C, M or Y color value that is used in defining the black point is obtained as a result of interpolation, except for at the black point.

Abstract: A color table calibration system produces multiple color samples for each target color point in a color table. Each sample is offset from the target color within the color space by a random amount that is equal to a fixed offset plus a random interval. In the preferred implementation, the fixed offset is equal to a distance approximately equal to the color excursion caused by noise and the random interval is constrained to not exceed the fixed offset. The color table calibration system prints a set of multiple samples for each color point. The color samples are measured using conventional measuring devices and then averaged. The color table calibration system uses the sample average to derive a calibrated color table. The pseudo random supersampling and averaging for each color point reduces errors introduced by mechanical and environmental variations.

Abstract: A PostScript-compatible printer accepts PostScript language commands that indicate both device-dependent and device-independent color specifications. Such a printer in accordance with the invention has a PostScript interpreter that implements Level 1 and Level 2 color rendering pipelines. In the Level 1 color rendering pipeline, the interpreter converts device-dependent color specifications to internal color specifications using a calibrated n-dimensional operation. In the Level 2 color rendering pipeline, the interpreter converts device-independent color specifications to device-dependent color specifications using a standard PostScript color rendering dictionary, and then passes such device-dependent color specifications into the Level 1 pipeline for further processing.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides an improved method for converting primary printer color values to combinations of the primary printer color values and black to achieve improved printer output color representations. The method includes the following steps. A first balanced set of primary printer color combinations (e.g., CMY) is initially derived which provides a balanced gray representation at various levels of primary color concentration. A second balanced set of primary printer color combinations (e.g., CMYK) is derived which provides a balanced gray representation at various levels of color concentration. Next, a set of primary printer colors (CMY) with K is derived, using the first balanced set, which best represents shadow colors, and a maximum color value is chosen therefrom. Then, a similar set of primary printer colors is calculated which best represents highlight values, by interpolating from the chosen maximum color value to a white value.

Abstract: Description tables can be linked to a kernel to form a device driver. The description tables can be device description tables and adapter description tables. The kernel is operating system dependent. The description tables are operating system independent and can be linked to other kernels for other operating systems. A library of kernels for different operating systems can share a common set of kernel requests.

Abstract: Description tables can be linked to a kernel to form a device driver. The description tables can be device description tables and adapter description tables. The kernel is operating system dependent. The description tables are operating system independent and can be linked to other kernels for other operating systems. A library of kernels for different operating systems can share a common set of kernel requests.