Abstract: An image has pixels arranged in perpendicular rows/columns. The size of the image is changed to produce a changed-size image and the changed-size image is output. The process of changing the size of the image adds at least one row/column as at least one inserted row/column. The inserted row/column is made up of data from generating adjacent rows/columns of the perpendicular rows/columns. Embodiments that reduce the size of the image remove the generating adjacent rows/columns that were used to form the inserted row/column and, in such reduction processing the inserted row/column is added where the (now removed) generating adjacent rows/columns were previously positioned. In embodiments that increase the size of the image, instead of removing the generating adjacent rows/columns, the inserted row/column is merely inserted between the adjacent rows/columns.

Abstract: An image has pixels arranged in perpendicular rows/columns. The size of the image is changed to produce a changed-size image and the changed-size image is output. The process of changing the size of the image adds at least one row/column as at least one inserted row/column. The inserted row/column is made up of data from generating adjacent rows/columns of the perpendicular rows/columns. Embodiments that reduce the size of the image remove the generating adjacent rows/columns that were used to form the inserted row/column and, in such reduction processing the inserted row/column is added where the (now removed) generating adjacent rows/columns were previously positioned. In embodiments that increase the size of the image, instead of removing the generating adjacent rows/columns, the inserted row/column is merely inserted between the adjacent rows/columns.

Abstract: A method of inkjet printer operation produces a sneeze pattern having a uniform sneeze pattern portion and a tapered area portion within the uniform sneeze pattern to operate inkjets in the printer to eject ink drops within an image area of media sheets passing through the printer to maintain the operational status of the inkjets. A dynamic threshold is applied to a portion of an uniform sneeze pattern to produce the tapered area within the uniform sneeze pattern. The dynamic threshold is changed as a function of distance between a pixel in the portion of the uniform sneeze pattern and the closest edge of an image area of the media sheet on which the tapered area of the sneeze pattern is to be printed. A second threshold can also be changed to alter a volume of ink associated with a pixel in the tapered area within the uniform sneeze pattern.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer determines the number of material drops to eject to form a perimeter in an object layer and distributes a quantization error over the layers forming the perimeter. The slicer also identifies the location for the first material drop ejected to form the perimeter using a blue noise generator.

Abstract: A method of inkjet printer operation indicates a need for printhead purging without requiring analysis of printed images to detect streakiness in the images. The method compares terms of a histogram of a filtered response of an inkjet status vector to a streakiness metric to determine whether the distribution of inoperative inkjets in a printhead enables missing ink techniques to be used to compensate for inoperative inkjets in the printhead.

Abstract: An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a color printhead to dispense color printing fluid, an enhancement printhead to dispense a three-dimensional (3D) print material, a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include printing a two-dimensional (2D) image on a substrate and printing a 3D object on the 2D image printed on the substrate such that colors of the 2D image provide a desired color for a desired portion of the 3D object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is operated to compensate for surface deviations of overhanging features differently than for non-overhanging features. The compensation technique used for the overhanging features depends on whether an edge of the overhanging feature being formed in a next layer has curved or sharp corners.

Abstract: Access is provided to a variable data printing app and a code detection app on a computer server. The variable data printing app is adapted to add machine-readable code to printable items and create a decoder app capable of decoding the machine-readable code. The code detection app is adapted to receive user identification information and transmit the user identification information to designer devices. The printable items are printed as printed products. The designer devices validate a user device based on the validity of the user identification information. In response, the variable data printing app is adapted to transmit the decoder app to validated user devices. The code detection app, operating on the user device, is adapted to decode the machine-readable code in user-acquired images into an optional secure link with the designer devices.

Abstract: A method of inkjet printer operation indicates a need for printhead purging without requiring analysis of printed images to detect streakiness in the images. The method compares terms of a histogram of a filtered response of an inkjet status vector to a streakiness metric to determine whether the distribution of inoperative inkjets in a printhead enables missing ink techniques to be used to compensate for inoperative inkjets in the printhead.

Abstract: A method of inkjet printer operation produces a sneeze pattern having a uniform sneeze pattern portion and a tapered area portion within the uniform sneeze pattern to operate inkjets in the printer to eject ink drops within an image area of media sheets passing through the printer to maintain the operational status of the inkjets. A dynamic threshold is applied to a portion of an uniform sneeze pattern to produce the tapered area within the uniform sneeze pattern. The dynamic threshold is changed as a function of distance between a pixel in the portion of the uniform sneeze pattern and the closest edge of an image area of the media sheet on which the tapered area of the sneeze pattern is to be printed. A second threshold can also be changed to alter a volume of ink associated with a pixel in the tapered area within the uniform sneeze pattern.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies the positions and local densities for a plurality of infill lines within a perimeter to be formed within a layer of an object to be formed by the printer. The local density of each infill line is filtered and a control law is applied to the filtered local density to identify an error in the local density compared to a target density. This process is performed iteratively until the error is within a predetermined tolerance range about the target local density. The error is used to generate machine ready instructions to operate the 3D object printer to achieve the target density for the infill lines.

Abstract: Access is provided to a variable data printing app and a code detection app on a computer server. The variable data printing app is adapted to add machine-readable code to printable items and create a decoder app capable of decoding the machine-readable code. The code detection app is adapted to receive user identification information and transmit the user identification information to designer devices. The printable items are printed as printed products. The designer devices validate a user device based on the validity of the user identification information. In response, the variable data printing app is adapted to transmit the decoder app to validated user devices. The code detection app, operating on the user device, is adapted to decode the machine-readable code in user-acquired images into an optional secure link with the designer devices.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies the positions and local densities for a plurality of infill lines within a perimeter to be formed within a layer of an object to be formed by the printer. The local density of each infill line is filtered and a control law is applied to the filtered local density to identify an error in the local density compared to a target density. This process is performed iteratively until the error is within a predetermined tolerance range about the target local density. The error is used to generate machine ready instructions to operate the 3D object printer to achieve the target density for the infill lines.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that automatically generates a set of recommended printer settings 300 for a print job 100 submitted to a printer 10.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that automatically generates a set of recommended printer settings 300 for a print job 100 submitted to a printer 10.

Abstract: An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a color printhead to dispense color printing fluid, an enhancement printhead to dispense a three-dimensional (3D) print material, a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include printing a two-dimensional (2D) image on a substrate and printing a 3D object on the 2D image printed on the substrate such that colors of the 2D image provide a desired color for a desired portion of the 3D object.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a security mark for a document. A first generation print can be rendered based on one or more patterns (e.g., pantograph pattern) for a security mark. Post-copy results of the pattern(s) can be then rendered. The first generation print and the post-copy results of the pattern(s) can be calibrated, and the output of the calibration of the first generation print and the post-copy results are then applicable for optimizing the design of the security mark for a print condition. Optimization of the design of the security mark for the print condition can be implemented by applying the output of the calibrating of the first generation print and the post-copy results for the print condition. The first generation prints and post-copy results of pantograph pattern samples can be calibrated to drastically reduce the time and labor involved in optimizing void pantograph designs for a particular print condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a three-dimensional object printer compensates for inoperative ejectors. The method identifies image data values associated with an inoperative ejector that stored in a memory with other image data values for a three-dimensional object to be printed by the three-dimensional object printer. The method replaces the image data values associated with the inoperative ejector with image data values associated with an operative ejector that correspond to a material that is different than a material ejected by the inoperative ejector and operates a plurality of ejectors with reference to the other image data values and the replaced image data values to enable the operative ejector to eject drops of the material that is different than the material ejected by the inoperative ejector into the three-dimensional object at positions where the inoperative ejector would have ejected material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method executed by a processor of a multi-function device (MFD) includes tracking a machine state of the MFD, predicting a potential defect based on a determination that the machine state is associated with a defect class of a plurality of different defect classes, determining a maintenance routine associated with the defect class, and executing the maintenance routine to prevent the potential defect.

Abstract: A system and method enable determining a total colorant limit for printing images. The system includes memory which stores instructions for: determining a grain value for each of a set of printed patches printed on a first print media, the grain value being based upon a visual contrast sensitivity function computed for the respective patch, the set of printed patches including patches printed on the print media at different total colorant values; determining a total colorant limit for the first print media, as a function of the total colorant values and corresponding grain values for the printed patches in the set, wherein the total colorant limit is a total colorant value which corresponds to a grain value which does not exceed a threshold grain value for the first print media. A processor executes the instructions.