Abstract: A method for color correction of an image having an insignia portion in a multi-module printer (10). A first color profile is calibrated for a four-color image. A second color profile is calibrated for a four-color image with a transparent toner layer on top of the insignia portion of the four-color image. The image data is then buffered in a color input band buffer (40) and processed through the first (50) and second (60) color profiles in a color management module. The processed image data is stored in an output band buffer (70, 80) corresponding to the image data processed through each color profile. Clear toner input band data stored in a clear toner input band buffer (30) is compared with the processed image data in each output band buffer (70, 80) to select an output signal (100) on a per pixel basis to send to the multi-module printer (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a multi-color imaging system are provided. Color values are measured for each of the different color patches, and compared to target process-sensitive colors color values, representing a weight-adjusted memory color. An error value is calculated. The error value represents a deviation of the measured color values from the target color values. The input values for each colorant then are independently adjusted to reduce the error value to a predetermined degree.

Abstract: An image processing method and system wherein an operator may provide adjustments to tweak color saturation of a particular color in an image. In the method and operation of the system a first signal representing color separation continuous tone gray level image data of pixels is provided as one input to a lookup table. An operator adjustable color tweaking input data second signal represents an adjustment in color saturation and is provided as a second input to the lookup table. In response to the first and second inputs a third signal representing adjustment in color saturation in accordance with the operator adjustable color tweaking input is output from the lookup table. Thereafter, data represented by the third signal is subject to a halftone process to generate halftone rendered gray level data values for the pixels.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for generating a gray level rendered pixel value that has been subjected to a halftoning process. In the method and apparatus a gray level pixel value of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is provided as one input to a lookup table. A coordinate value that is determined from a pixel location in the image of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is also provided as a second input to the lookup table. The first and second inputs represent an address in the lookup table of a rendered halftone value for halftone rendering of the pixel having the input gray value and the pixel location in the image.

Abstract: A color electrostatographic printer apparatus applies respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a color image. A fuser assembly fuses the color image. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused color toner image using a generic inverse mask that is based on receiver member characteristic. Enhanced glossing of the image is provided by a belt glosser that also improves color gamut. A generic color profile that is based on receiver member characteristics is provided to ensure color accuracy.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus comprising an electrophotoconductive imaging member; a first charger for forming an electrostatic charge on the imaging member; a first array exposure device for imagewise modulating the electrostatic charge on an area of the member; a developer for forming a first visible image with a pigmented toner; second charger for electrostatically charging the visible image; a transfer station to transfer visible images to a receiver; and a raster image processor responsive to raster image data for controlling the array exposure device to record rasterized lines of image data in a direction transverse to the first direction including a buffer for storing data representing bow correction data in printing substantially straight raster lines of image data utilizing multiple address binary input data provided by encoder pulses derived from the position of the electrophotoconductive imaging member.

Abstract: A system and method for selective color-correction when applying three-dimensional texture to a printed substrate hinges either on a metric that is elicited from the image, or as determined by an operator. The metric may be associated with the human visual acuity curve for textural information. Other textural metrics may also be used.

Abstract: A color electrostatographic printer apparatus applies respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a color image. A fuser station fuses, or at least tacks, the color image to the receiver. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused color toner image using an inverse mask, and enhanced glossing of the image is provided by a belt glosser to improve color gamut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving image data and control characters across an interface that is subject to noise for output to a printer. The image data and the control characters are transmitted across the interface to a receiver device. A determination is made as to whether or not a line of image data has been sufficiently transferred to the receiver device and, if the current line of image data has not been sufficiently transferred, there is provided for output to the printer a prior sufficiently received line of image data in replacement of the current line of image data so that the prior line of image data is printed at least twice in succession.

Abstract: A tandem color electrostatographic printer apparatus has five or more color printing stations or modules for applying respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a pentachrome color image in a single pass. A fuser station fuses the pentachrome color image. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused pentachrome toner image and enhanced glossing of the image is provided by a belt glosser to improve color gamut.

Abstract: A method of printing comprising the steps of detecting a contour in a first color space image, locating the contour, mapping the image into the second image space, and changing the mapping curve shape, changing the printer profile (e.g. changing the printer mapping function), editing the image, or other method to reduce or eliminate perceived contouring.

Abstract: In a color electrostatographic printer apparatus having a plurality of tandem stations for applying respective color separation toner images to a receiver member, and a clear toner station for providing a clear toner overcoat to a multicolor toner image formed by the respective color separation toner images on the receiver member, a controller is provided that selectively controls deposition of clear toner to the multicolor toner image so that greater amounts of clear toner are deposited in image areas of the multicolor toner image having relatively higher density color and relatively lesser amounts of clear toner, including no clear toner, are deposited upon image areas of the multicolor toner image having relatively lower density color.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a printer including a light-emitting diode (LED) printhead for non-uniformity on an image plane. The LED recording elements are arranged in a plurality of arrays. A plurality of characteristics (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) associated with each recording element are measured and from the measured characteristics a plurality of parameters (112, 114, 116, 118, 120) associated with each recording element is determined. Adjustment factors for a plurality of parameters are combined mathematically to determine an adjusted power density (122) for each recording element on the image plane. Correction factors (130) are then assigned to each recording element to correct for the adjusted power density (122). The correction factors (130) are stored in a memory (132) associated with the LED printhead.

Abstract: A method for color correction of an image having an insignia portion in a multi-module printer (10). A first color profile is calibrated for a four-color image. A second color profile is calibrated for a four-color image with a transparent toner layer on top of the insignia portion of the four-color image. The image data is then buffered in a color input band buffer (40) and processed through the first (50) and second (60) color profiles in a color management module. The processed image data is stored in an output band buffer (70, 80) corresponding to the image data processed through each color profile. Clear toner input band data stored in a clear toner input band buffer (30) is compared with the processed image data in each output band buffer (70, 80) to select an output signal (100) on a per pixel basis to send to the multi-module printer (10).

Abstract: A color accuracy prediction system is provided that will allow an operator to manage his workflow by deciding which color to insert as the fifth imaging unit (20) in the printer (10). A document's digital file is analyzed by the system to determine the specific colors specified therein. A table or diagram that lists the color accuracy values within a set tolerance is provided to the operator to allow a comparison of the color accuracy achievable by the installation of a specific fifth color. The operator can then evaluate if the color accuracy realized with the specific color justifies the time and expense of installing that specific fifth color. If the color accuracy will be realized, the operator can evaluate if the customer's job is important enough to justify installation of the fifth color. An operator can manage his workflow to replace the fifth imaging unit (20) at a desired time in his workflow.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling recording of video programs. In one embodiment an apparatus for controlling the recording of video programs includes a device for retrieving a recorder identifier and recorder programming data from a television signal received from a television signal source, a device for determining whether the retrieved recorder identifier matches a first identifier for the apparatus, a device for storing the recorder programming data, if the retrieved recorder identifier matches the first identifier for the apparatus, and a device for using the stored recorder programming data to control recording. The device for retrieving a recorder identifier and recorder programming data from a television signal includes a vertical blanking interval decoder.

Abstract: Gloss, differential gloss, and image relief of a printed image may be controlled by utilizing a combination of technologies in the appropriate manner. These technologies include the use of transparent toner overcoats, negative transparent toner masks, variable screen transparent toner screen masks, UV coaters, and post-press belt fusing. Unlike conventional systems, which may increase gloss at a cost of also increasing image relief, the present invention may produce an image having a controlled gloss, differential gloss, and image relief.

Abstract: Image quality assessment test charts and objective image quality measurement systems may be used to evaluate the printer sub-system health before artifacts become objectionable to human observers. Diagnostic images may be printed to allow measurement of a number of system performance attributes, such as: density, banding, streak, granularity, mottle, color, gloss, gloss uniformity, edge gradient, raggedness, sharpness, background, registration, line width, and satellite measurements. By comparing these measurements to historical values or ideal values of the same measurements, preventive maintenance suggestions may be generated to avoid both unnecessary maintenance and objectionable print quality.

Abstract: By using a high or low viscosity transparent toner, with respect to the other color toners, and different amounts of transparent toner lay-down, the gloss of an image printed by an electrophotographic device may be adjusted. By also applying the transparent toner as a negative mask, the differential gloss of the image may be reduced while still adjusting the gloss of certain portions of the image. Further, because different gloss levels may appear different at different viewing angles, transparent toner may be laid down to encode a transparent image within the image being printed. Such a transparent image may be useful as, for example, an authentication means for a document. Additionally, by varying the gloss levels on particular aspects of a printed image, multiple images of different gloss levels, which are prominent at different viewing angles can be made, thereby, a three-dimensional image effect can be achieved on the printed page.

Abstract: An input image capture device, capable of sampling the color density and gloss of the fused printed image (thus not requiring the printing of density patches on a separate calibration page), may compare the printed image's color density and gloss to a predicted value. Then, appearance control may be achieved by changing fuser parameters (such as fuser nip width, fuser roller temperature and the like) and other electrophotographic element control parameters (such as exposure, off-set development voltage, charger voltage and the like) to maintain a desirable constant appearance (density, gloss, etc.) of images consistently in print engine usage (within a print run and between print runs), even if different media substrates are used on the same print job. Therefore, no waste calibration sheet is needed, and a print job operator may receive more timely feedback relating to the current printing job stream.