Abstract: A method of computing swath data in response to a digital image having a plurality of rows and columns of pixels, each pixel having a multitone code vaule, the swath data suitable for commanding an inkjet printer containing at least one printed having plurality of nozzles, wherein the inkjet printer is capable of ejecting ink drops in response to the swath data.

Abstract: A method of determining and applying a protective ink amount to be printed in addition to a plurality of colored ink amounts to make colored pixels in an image including determining the protective ink amount such that the sum of the protective ink amount and the colored ink amounts is greater than or equal to a minimum ink amount necessary to provide adequate durability for the image, and applying using an inkjet printer the colored ink amounts and the protective ink amount to make the colored image pixels.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing image artifacts in printers that employ two or more printhead nozzle banks that must be aligned and registered with respect to each other either through adjustment of orientation and/or position of one nozzle bank relative to another or through selective control of actuation. In the method, discrete dots are printed by the nozzle banks upon a target receiver medium. Examination of the receiver medium or a reproduction thereof is made by a scanner and information regarding location of the dots is generated. From information regarding location of the dots a determination is made of error placement of the dots from ideal locations. Alignment of the nozzle banks are made in accordance with any errors determined in placement.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device and a printhead including one or more such fluid ejection devices are provided. The fluid ejection device includes a substrate having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, each array having a plurality of nozzles and being arranged along a first direction, the first nozzle array being arranged spaced apart in a second direction from the second nozzle array. A first fluid delivery pathway is in fluid communication with the first nozzle array, and a second fluid delivery pathway is in fluid communication with the second nozzle array. Nozzles of the first nozzle array have a first opening area and are arranged along the first nozzle array at a pitch P. Nozzles of the second nozzle array have a second opening area, the second opening area being less than the first opening area. At least one nozzle of the second array is arranged offset in the first direction from at least one nozzle of the first array by a distance which is less than pitch P.

Abstract: A computer program product is provided for optimizing a printer for driver settings and color profile in order to optimally print an image on a selected media. Data is stored in an index file for various combinations of printers, printer drivers, printer media and color profiles. The printer driver that is currently used on the user's machine for the selected printer is determined and the printer media selected for the printer is identified, e.g., by a simple query of the user. One set of steps involves choosing an appropriate stored color profile for the selected printer-media combination, and applying the chosen color profile to the image data, thereby generating transformed image data. Another set of steps involves retrieving printer settings for the selected printer-media combination and modifying the settings of the driver in use for the selected media. Finally the transformed image data is printed using the modified settings of the printer driver to obtain optimal printing of the image.

Abstract: A method of determining and applying a protective ink amount to be printed in addition to a plurality of colored ink amounts to make colored pixels in an image including determining the protective ink amount such that the sum of the protective ink amount and the colored ink amounts is greater than or equal to a minimum ink amount necessary to provide adequate durability for the image, and applying using an inkjet printer the colored ink amounts and the protective ink amount to make the colored image pixels.

Abstract: A method of selecting inkjet nozzle banks for assembly into an inkjet printhead. The printhead when assembled includes at least two nozzle banks and is operative for printing one particular color ink or other liquid and each nozzle bank includes plural nozzles. The printhead is operational in a printer to print raster rows so that at least one raster row is printed using ink drops deposited at respective different pixel locations on the raster row by respective different nozzles on each of the at least two nozzle banks.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing a printer for driver settings and color profile in order to optimally print an image on a selected media. Data is stored in an index file for various combinations of printers, printer drivers, printer media and color profiles. The printer driver that is currently used on the user's machine for the selected printer is determined and the printer media selected for the printer is identified, e.g., by a simple query of the user. One set of steps involves choosing an appropriate stored color profile for the selected printer-media combination, and applying the chosen color profile to the image data, thereby generating transformed image data. Another set of steps involves retrieving printer settings for the selected printer-media combination and modifying the settings of the driver in use for the selected media.

Abstract: A method of selecting inkjet nozzle banks for assembly into an inkjet printhead. The printhead when assembled includes at least two nozzle banks and is operative for printing one particular color ink or other liquid and each nozzlebank includes plural nozzles. The printhead is operational in a printer to print raster rows so that at least one raster row is printed using ink drops deposited at respective different pixel locations on the raster row by respective different nozzles on each of the at least two nozzle banks.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing image artifacts in printers that employ two or more printhead nozzle banks that must be aligned and registered with respect to each other either through adjustment of orientation and/or position of one nozzle bank relative to another or through selective control of actuation. In the method, discrete dots are printed by the nozzle banks upon a target receiver medium. Examination of the receiver medium or a reproduction thereof is made by a scanner and information regarding location of the dots is generated. From information regarding location of the dots a determination is made of error placement of the dots from ideal locations. Alignment of the nozzle banks are made in accordance with any errors determined in placement.

Abstract: A method for modifying a digital image having an array of raster lines, each raster line having an array of image pixels, to produce a modified digital image suitable for printing on an inkjet printer containing at least one printhead having nozzles, such that unwanted optical density variations in the print are reduced, includes determining an optical density parameter for each nozzle in the printhead; determining a line correction factor for a given raster line in response to the optical density parameter for each nozzle in the printhead and the raster line number; and modifying each pixel in the given raster line in response to the line correction factor to produce the modified digital image.

Abstract: A method for modifying a digital image having an array of raster lines, each raster line having an array of image pixels, to produce a modified digital image suitable for printing on an inkjet printer containing at least one printhead having nozzles, such that unwanted optical density variations in the print are reduced, includes determining an optical density parameter for each nozzle in the printhead; determining a line correction factor for a given raster line in response to the optical density parameter for each nozzle in the printhead and the raster line number; and modifying each pixel in the given raster line in response to the line correction factor to produce the modified digital image.

Abstract: A method of selecting inkjet nozzle banks for assembly into an inkjet printhead. The printhead when assembled includes at least two nozzle banks and is operative for printing one particular color ink or other liquid and each nozzle bank includes plural nozzles. The printhead is operational in a printer to print raster rows so that at least one raster row is printed using ink drops deposited at respective different pixel locations on the raster row by respective different nozzles on each of the at least two nozzle banks.

Abstract: A method is taught for curtain coating a liquid composition onto a moving plastic web. The plastic web is partially wrapped around a cylindrical backing roller, the backing roller including a relief patterned area on the surface thereof, the relief patterned area including relieved features and non-relieved features, the relieved features being at least 40% of the relief patterned area, the relief patterned area being circumferential of the backing roller. Providing an electrostatic field at the coating point between the coating liquid and the backing roller, the electrostatic field resulting in an electrostatic force difference at a coating point on the backing roller, the relieved features being of a geometry and depth such that the electrostatic force difference at a coating point does not vary by more than a factor of 10 between the relieved features and non-relieved features.

Abstract: A method is taught for curtain coating a liquid composition onto a moving web at a coating point where the moving web is supported on a backing roller. The web is partially wrapped around the backing roller, the backing roller including a relief patterned area on the surface thereof, the relief patterned area including relieved features and non-relieved features, the relieved features and the non-relieved features creating an electrostatic force difference exerted on the liquid composition at the coating point when an electrostatic field is applied thereto. A web speed is specified and the electrostatic force difference exerted on the liquid composition at the coating point is varied to determine a maximum electrostatic force difference for the specified web speed that achieves the predetermined acceptable level of coating thickness non-uniformity.

Abstract: A method for coating a liquid composition from an applicator to a moving web supported by a backing roller, characterized by the steps of a) conveying the web in a partial wrap around the backing roller of diameter equal to or greater than 10 cm, the backing roller being provided with a conductive, relieved surface; b) fabricating the relieved surface with a pattern that provides venting, the pattern having a geometry and depth such that the electrostatic force at the coating point does not vary by more than a factor of about ten, the pattern covering at least 30% or more of the width of the web; c) providing an electrostatic field at the coating point; and d) coating at a web speed greater than or equal to 75 meters/minute.

Abstract: A coating method comprising advancing a web over a coating roller, applying electrostatic charges on the web or coating roller, and coating the web wherein the surface of the web to be coated has a characteristic electrical length of less than 400 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Dies are disclosed for forming sheet-like extrudate of fluent material, such as a film of thermoplastic or solvent-plasticized material, or a liquid coating, e.g. a photographic coating, on a continuous support web. The dies include inner and outer cavities with the fluent material being supplied to the center or an end of the inner cavity. Between the inner and outer cavities there is an inner slot and between the outer cavity and the exterior of the die there is an outer slot. The inner cavity is open at one end, if end fed, or at both ends, if center fed. The open end, or each open end, is closed by closing means which are detachable for allowing access to the inner cavity for cleaning and inspection. A member is located in the cavity extending from the open end or each open end. The member serves to reduce the effective flow path for fluent material in the inner cavity.