Abstract: A method and system for predicting expansion difficulty and an expansion time required to perform print-time imaging operations. A print-ready compressed file may be generated by raster image processing of a job description file associated with a rendering job provided by a digital front end. The expansion time with respect to one or more expansion processes may be predicted by a linear equation during assembly of the compressed file. The linear equation may be formulated based on measured compression statistics that relate to profile data within the compressed file. The total expansion time with respect to the rendering job may be then computed by summing the results of the linear equations. The expansion time to perform the print-time imaging operations may be compared with an available time based on an image output terminal speed to improve performance of raster image processing.

Abstract: A method receives, at a processor of a printing apparatus, a variable information print job. The variable information print job is processed into upper planes of the record-specific objects, upper planes of the reusable objects, lower planes of the record-specific objects, and lower planes of the reusable objects. The method stores such objects within a storage medium of the printing apparatus. The method combines ones of the compressed upper planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed upper planes of the reusable objects corresponding to the record of the variable information print job using the processor to create a single compressed upper plane for the record within an output buffer of the printing apparatus and creates an ordered list (corresponding to the record) of lower plane tiles by assembling the compressed lower planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed lower plane reusable objects.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting expansion difficulty and an expansion time required to perform print-time imaging operations. A print-ready compressed file may be generated by raster image processing of a job description file associated with a rendering job provided by a digital front end. The expansion time with respect to one or more expansion processes may be predicted by a linear equation during assembly of the compressed file. The linear equation may be formulated based on measured compression statistics that relate to profile data within the compressed file. The total expansion time with respect to the rendering job may be then computed by summing the results of the linear equations. The expansion time to perform the print-time imaging operations may be compared with an available time based on an image output terminal speed to improve performance of raster image processing.

Abstract: A method receives, at a processor of a printing apparatus, a variable information print job. The variable information print job is processed into upper planes of the record-specific objects, upper planes of the reusable objects, lower planes of the record-specific objects, and lower planes of the reusable objects. The method stores such objects within a storage medium of the printing apparatus. The method combines ones of the compressed upper planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed upper planes of the reusable objects corresponding to the record of the variable information print job using the processor to create a single compressed upper plane for the record within an output buffer of the printing apparatus and creates an ordered list (corresponding to the record) of lower plane tiles by assembling the compressed lower planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed lower plane reusable objects.

Abstract: There is disclosed in embodiments methods relating to the compression of printing hints. The method in embodiments generates a first set of image pixels having corresponding printing hints. The printing hints are then adjusted to produce a second set of image pixels processed in such a way that an end printed result is visually equivalent to a printed result using the first set of image pixels thereby reducing the entropy in the printing hints. The method improves the compression ratio of an image using printing hints by adjusting the printing hints of pixels that are zero or fully saturated. The printing hints are adjusted in such a way to reduce the complexity of the printing hints.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling image quality and compression ratios in image segmentation. More particularly, the invention is directed to an image segmenting system and method that analyzes and classifies pixel blocks of an image to determine the manner in which the image block should be compressed, e.g. with a lossy or a lossless technique. This approach, which assumes no apriori knowledge of the any specific region of the image, results in effective use of the various known compression techniques and provides improved overall compression ratios and image quality.

Abstract: A method for digital image compression of a raster image is disclosed which uses different compression methods for selected parts of the image and which dynamically adjusts compression and segmentation parameters to control tradeoff of image quality and compression. The image is encoded into a single data stream for efficient handling by disk, memory and I/O systems. This system provides a stable feedback loop that manages to a fine granularity (typically 8×8 pixel blocks) the compression of image data so as to be compliant with a plurality of compression constraints; the management of an incremental bias toward more aggressive compression that selectively applies the more aggressive compression methods to blocks that are the most tolerant with respect to visible artifacts; and the adjustable segmentation and compression parameters used to control the image compression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing electronic documents, with maximum intradocument independence, and maximum flexibility in optimization of compression modes. The method includes receiving documents containing unknown combinations of a plural data types, including combinations of scanned data, computer rendered data, compressed data and/or rendering tags; dividing the received image into strips of blocks determining from the image itself, which data types are present in each block; compressing data of each data type present in each block with a compression method optimized for its data type. Scanned data may be further segmented into plural scanned data types, where each data type is compressed in said compressing data step with a compression method optimized for said scanned image data type.

Abstract: An improved sliding window dictionary-based compression method limits the data within the sliding window searched to data strings occurring at each discrete match location within a plurality of predefined discrete match locations, the plurality of predefined discrete match locations comprising a set of non-continuous data positions within the window of data.

Abstract: A new non-contacting, edge-coupled micromechanical device and method, requiring no contact between the mirror or underlying yoke and landing pads on the substrate. Elimination of physical contact eliminates the problem of “sticking” mirrors found in conventional devices, and simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the requirements for passivation coatings and hermetic packages. A capture electrode 24 is provided at an appropriate elevation above the surface of the device so as to be in close proximity with the edge of the mirror 20 or yoke 22 when it rotates to the desired angle. The capture electrode 24 and mirror assembly are biased to establish a very high electrostatic attraction between the two which stops the mirror. The mirror can be critically damped to prevent oscillations of the mirrors by tailoring at least one of the voltages applied to the mirror and capture electrode.

Abstract: An improved sliding window dictionary-based compression method limits the data within the sliding window searched to data strings occurring at each discrete match location within a plurality of predefined discrete match locations, the plurality of predefined discrete match locations comprising a set of non-continuous data positions within the window of data.

Abstract: A method for digital image compression of a raster image is disclosed which uses different compression methods for selected parts of the image and which dynamically adjusts compression and segmentation parameters to control tradeoff of image quality and compression. The image is encoded into a single data stream for efficient handling by disk, memory and I/O systems. This system provides a stable feedback loop that manages to a fine granularity (typically 8×8 pixel blocks) the compression of image data so as to be compliant with a plurality of compression constraints; the management of an incremental bias toward more aggressive compression that selectively applies the more aggressive compression methods to blocks that are the most tolerant with respect to visible artifacts; and the adjustable segmentation and compression parameters used to control the image compression.

Abstract: A method of modeling and enhancing the print quality of digital printing, including both electrophographic printing and photofinishing. Pixels are printed with a device such as a DMD, whose pixels provide a steep-sided intensity versus displacement curve of each light spot on the image plane. Holes placed in the pixel can be used to place a dip in the top of the curve, a feature especially useful for electrophotographic printing. The effect of this hole on the image plane can also be flattened, a feature than may be especially useful for photofinishing. The steep-sided intensity curve facilitates the ability to model and predict pixel size.

Abstract: A new DMD device and method for non-contacting edge-coupled hidden hinge geometry is disclosed, whereby no physical contact between the mirror or underlying yoke and landing pads at the surface of the CMOS substrate is required. This eliminates the problem of “sticking” mirrors found in conventional devices, and as a result simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the requirements for delicate passivation coatings and costly hermetic packages. In this new DMD structure, a capture electrode 24 is provided at an appropriate elevation above the surface of the device so as to be in close proximity with the continuous edge of the mirror 20 or yoke 22 when it rotates into the region of the desired angle. This capture electrode 24 and mirror assembly is biased such as to establish a very high electrostatic attraction between the two which in turn stops the mirror as it comes into the plane of the capture electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing electronic documents, with maximum intradocument independence, and maximum flexibility in optimization of compression modes. The method includes receiving documents containing unknown combinations of a plural data types, including combinations of scanned data, computer rendered data, compressed data and/or rendering tags; dividing the received image into strips of blocks determining from the image itself, which data types are present in each block; compressing data of each data type present in each block with a compression method optimized for its data type. Scanned data may be further segmented into plural scanned data types, where each data type is compressed in said compressing data step with a compression method optimized for said scanned image data type.

Abstract: A digital photograph printer comprising a transport mechanism, a modulated light source (1206), and an exposure controller (1302). The transport mechanism for advancing a photosensitive medium (1202) through an exposure region (1200) such that said photosensitive medium advances one row of pixel locations each row period. The modulated light source (1206) is operable to selectively provide a beam of light to an array of individually modulated regions (1300, 1306, 1310) in an exposure region (1200). As the photosensitive medium (1202) moves through the exposure region (1200) the individually modulated regions in the exposure region (1200) have the opportunity to expose each pixel locations in the exposure region (1200) once each row period. The exposure controller (1302) operable to control the modulated light source (1206) based on image data provided to modulated light source.

Abstract: A method for printing or exposing photosensitive media is disclosed herein. The method uses standard spatial light modulators with standard addressing circuitry. The data is written to the device for the first row, the photosensitive media is exposed to the light reflected from the device, and the device is turned off. The data from the first row is then written to the second line of the device, and new data is loaded into the first line of the device. The media is again exposed. This is repeated until the entire region of the drum is completely exposed. The device can be repositioned to cover a different region of the drum and the process would be repeated.

Abstract: A method is described to control the maximum density and the pixel profile of microdots produced by a binary or multilevel electrophotographic device. In various embodiments, from the maximum development potential. The working point of the device is established by imposing a relation between charge level, discharge level and saturation voltage level of the photosensitive element. This allows to achieve consistent output densities, irrespective of the environmental parameters, such as relative humidity and temperature.

Abstract: In classic optical rendering systems, the spot, illuminating a microdot on the photosensitive medium, is designed to overlap with neighboring microdots, typically having an overlap of 1.7 times the pitch of the microdots, for a luminous intensity of 1/e.sup.2 the highest intensity. A "sharp" photosensitive medium, such as a photographic film used in graphical applications, generates a binary circle, obtainable by thresholding. The area of such a circle is too large, which results in higher dot gain.Many systems, such as electrographic systems, do not behave as a "sharp" medium. If intermediate energy levels are used, in order to obtain continuous tone or multiple density levels, thresholding behavior may be avoided by appropriate choice of energy levels. Such a different sensitometry results in specific requirements for the energy distribution for each microdot.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic printer (100) having a vertical photoreceptor belt (111) and a horizontal transfer belt (120) at the top of the printer. The result is a "T-shape" belt-to-belt toner transfer configuration with a top-side paper path. Color developer cartridges (117) are vertically stacked along one side of the photoreceptor belt (111) and an oversized black developer cartridge (116) is placed on the other side.