Abstract: The Device Model Agent (DMA), the device side technology module in Device Centric Services (DCS) system, is the main focus of this invention. DMA is a thin, efficient applications/services execution environment. DMA provides an embedded services platform for enabling system management applications and services. This allows a flexible, extensible, dynamic services management module allowing networked services to be designed, added, and managed within the system without modifications to devices, DCS system, or DMA itself. While this invention specifically describes the integration of benefits from DMA into document system devices, the concepts are equally applicable in other domains. The DMA runtime environment is a thin software interface layer that resides on a document system device between the Java runtime environment and embedded web server.

Abstract: A class of add-on system components providing functionality of devices, management of self-help, customization and enhancement of services for devices, and remote monitoring at significantly reduced cost. It reduces the cost of UI and greatly enhances ease-of-use by realizing that the networked system can be headless and use a browser-based UI for its platform. It embeds a Device Model Agent (DMA) and connects to the Device-Centric Services platform to offer services. Additionally, it offers customized diagnostic access for customer representatives to enable self-help service actions to be performed, unifies and manages multiple access needs to several disparate data access mechanisms, and uses largely COTS PC hardware rather than customized PWBs.

Abstract: A color marking system includes a control system for maintaining an accurate representation for approximating color space transformation comprising a set of piecewise homeomorphisms. The homeomorphisms and parametric models are selectively adjustable in accordance with printer/display calibrating data. Preferably the homeomorphisms comprise corresponding tetrahedra with domain and co-domain color spaces. If error above a selected level is detected, the tetrahedra are adjusted by calculating new locations for their vertices having a consequence of recomputation of model parameters and converging parametric model performance in accordance with a predetermined objective of the system. An inverse of the model is used for feedforward control of the marking system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. The application of recovery counts combined with the system cycle count when suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. Furthermore, these recovery condition “clicks” will be further modified depending upon the type of recovery condition encountered. The application of recovery counts thus modified when combined with the system cycle count and suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner, the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. Furthermore, these recovery condition “clicks” will be further modified depending upon the type of recovery condition encountered. The application of recovery counts thus modified when combined with the system cycle count and suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner, the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to applying usage or weighting factors to static cycle counts or “clicks” as tallied in a document processing system. The application of weighting factors to a system cycle count when suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear to a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life for a replaceable element in that system. As such the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. The application of recovery counts combined with the system cycle count when suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: A controls system and method of print quality control for a printing system. The controls system uses printed output images as a continuous source of data for control processes. An image quality detector is positioned to detect color data in a printed image after the image is fused to a copy sheet. The present invention samples a wide range of colors in the image in order to calibrate a process station and ensure accurate production of color and/or other image quality parameters. The image quality detector examines an output image and compares the appearance of output image to a desired appearance. When an error exists, the printing system adjusts a process station to correct for variations and inconsistencies in a printed image. The detector of the present invention moves to different locations as the image exits from the printing system to sample a range of image quality parameters in the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a network based assembly for document processing when the assembly includes an intelligent Network Interface Controller (iNIC), a Document Processing Device (DPS) and a Digital Front End (DFE) for the DPS. Job data and control data communicated to the assembly through the network are communicated solely through the iNIC functioning as a threshold to the DPS assembly. The iNIC segregates any such data to identify job data that needs to be communicated to the DFE from other data that can be directly communicated to the DPS. Enhanced communication efficiency results from directly communicating control data to the DPS to avoid bottleneck communication of all data through the DFE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using feedback and feedforward in generating predictable, reproducible and pleasing images in a distributed digital image processing system monitors presentation images and provides feedback to a customer that assembled the original image. The originating customer can view the image as it appears on a remote output device and/or adjust the image so that the presentation image will match the image appearing on the image originating device. The system can also automatically adjust the digital images as they are processed by the system to insure that a remotely outputted presentation image matches the original image on the image originating device or on a local output device proximal with the image originating device.

Abstract: A method of machine control including the recreation of a tone reproduction curve by providing a look up table. The look up table incorporates a covariance matrix of elements containing n tone reproduction samples. A matrix multiplier responds to sensed developed patch samples and to the look up table to reproduce a complete tone reproduction curve. A control reacts to the reproduced tone reproduction curve to adjust machine quality.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server electrically connected to an image processing machine provides local data access and includes a monitor component, an analysis and prediction component to analyze data to track machine trends and predict machine subsytem and element faults, a diagnostic component capable of machine diagnostics at a higher level, components, and a communication component to provide a remote communication link. In a second embodiment, a first level of server modules are directly connected to given machines, a second level of server modules with trend analysis and diagnostic capability are connected to a network and associated with a set of machines on the network, and a third level of server modules are associated with a plurality of sets of machines on the network with the analysis and prediction components and diagnostic components providing trend data, fault prediction data, and machine corrective data for the plurality of sets of machines.

Abstract: A method of processing an image to reduce false granularity, or "aliasing", resulting from the reproduction of edges using fixed size pixels. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, certain pixels adjacent to black pixels corresponding to an edge are set to a gray level. The setting of certain pixels to a gray level involves detecting a pattern in a block of pixels by detecting subpatterns within the block of pixels.

Abstract: Fundamental machine functions such as the Tone Reproduction Curve need to be divided into regions of smaller units so that each unit can be interrelated to some aspects of the internal machine process. A first step toward that is by decomposing measured TRC in terms of what are known as "orthogonal basis functions". Two significant applications for orthogonal basis functions may be extensive use in color controls to maintain color consistency for every page, every time and all the time. The use of basis functions might also lead to a new soft sensor for use in certain machines.

Abstract: A controls system architecture for an image output terminal (IOT) has a hierarchical structure which isolates subsystem controls for purposes of efficient algorithm design, analysis and implementation. The architecture is preferably divided into three levels and has a controls supervisor which provides subsystem isolation functions and reliability assurance functions. The architecture improves image quality of IOT outputs by controlling the operation of the IOT to ensure that a toner reproduction curve of an output image matches a tone reproduction curve of an input image, despite several uncontrollable variables which change the tone reproduction curve of the output image.

Abstract: To correct for blooming artifacts in an ionographic imaging device, a summation of the effects of previously deposited charge is made prior to depositing ions to form the image, to determine the likely amount of displacement of any ion due to a previously deposited charge. A comparison of the displaced pixel position, with the desired image is made to determine where the ions will fall. If the ions are predicted to fall within an area in which ion deposition is desired, ions are allowed to pass to the imaging surface. If the comparison of the displaced pixel position with the desired image is made and predicts that ions will fall outside of an area in which charge is desired, ions are prevented from passing to the image surface.