Abstract: Disclosed are examples of methods and documents of a colour laser image observable in three dimensions, which comprises a laserable protective sheet, an array of lenses, coloured sub-pixels in column form, wherein a laser beam causes the grey levels to appear in two colour laser images observable in three dimensions via stereoscopic effect, and a substrate. The whole, in various implementations, may be laminated. The axes of the columns of sub-pixels and of the lenses may be perpendicular. The laser beam may scan the sub-pixels along the axis of the lenses, in various embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color printer and particularly to a color printer reducing power consumption and complying with international criteria ensuring sustained earth environment. In a color printer having multiple optical writing heads for individual recording colors, the activated periods of individual color recording heads are set to different periods and one writing period of individual recording heads is divided into multiple periods, video data for recording one dot line are divided into multiple blocks in the main scan direction, and the divided video data are used for emission at different times in the sub-scan direction, whereby a smaller number of optical writing elements are simultaneously driven for emission and the peak power consumption of the entire apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a system and method for producing a back-lit colour laser image, and an identity document using this method and back lighting system. The body of the identity document may be transparent. In various implementations, the light back-lights the colour laser image which may be formed of sub-pixels partly covered by non-reflective surfaces in the protective layer. The light may enter through tiny holes in decorative patterns on the reverse side of the document. Various implementations may find particular applications for identity cards, credit cards, passports, driving licences, secure entry badges, etc.

Abstract: A method for forming and a document having a colour laser image with high reflective yield, which comprises a sheet of laserable material, sub-pixels in primary colours, the laser beam via carbonization exposing grey levels of the colour image, and a substrate. The whole is laminated in various embodiments. The sub-pixels in various embodiments are separated by transparent regions which increase reflectivity and reinforce the white component of the personalised image. Layers of reflective varnish can reinforce reflectivity.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their colour effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different colour effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a colour chart (14), in which the individual colour effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the colour effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resulting colour effect.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes scanning units, a deflector. Each of the apparatuses includes a light source, an imaging optical system including imaging optical elements imaging a beam deflected by the deflector on a scanning surface. The scanning surfaces are scanned with beams in opposing directions. When a main scanning direction of the first scanning unit is a Y positive direction, a sign is the same between ?1h(Y1min)×?1r and ?2h(Y1min)×?2r. Here, ?1h(y), ?2h(y) denote orientation angles between the Y axis and a slow axis at a Y direction position y of first/second imaging optical elements from an optical axis, the imaging optical elements each being an imaging optical element having a largest thickness among them of the imaging optical systems, ?1r and ?2r denote angles between the Y axis and polarization directions of the beams reaching the imaging optical elements, and Y1min denotes a Y position where ?1h(y) becomes minimum.

Abstract: A method of colour laser marking a security document precursor including, in order, at least: a) a polymeric foil; b) at least one colourless colour forming layer for generating a colour different from black containing at least an infrared absorber, a colour forming compound and a polymeric binder; and c) either a lasermarkable polymeric support or a lasermarkable layer for generating a black colour; comprising the steps of: (1) laser marking a colour different from black in the colourless colour forming layer with an infrared laser used in continuous wave mode; and (2) laser marking a black colour by carbonization in the lasermarkable polymeric support or the lasermarkable layer with the same infrared laser used in a pulsed mode; and wherein at least one of the polymeric foil and the lasermarkable polymeric support is transparent for the infrared light of the infrared laser.

Abstract: A method of colour laser marking an article having a polymeric foil with at least one colourless layer containing an infrared absorber, a polymeric binder and a colour forming compound; including the steps of:—laser marking the colourless layer with an infrared laser using a first laser operation mode to generate a blue or cyan colour; and—laser marking the same colourless layer with an infrared laser using a second laser operation mode to generate a black colour, wherein the first laser operation mode applies less energy to the colourless layer than the second laser operation mode.

Abstract: Document processing systems and duplex printing methods are presented in which side 1 to side 2 image on paper (IOP) magnification errors are mitigated by use different speeds for raster output scanner (ROS) for scanning images for different final print sides, and by selective use of electronic registration adjustment by adding or removing sub-pixels from the image data to compensate for ROS speed change overshoot or undershoot.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a controller that causes an image forming unit to form an image so that a plurality of unit images are arranged in a first direction with a constant distance between adjacent unit images; an acquisition unit that acquires read image data indicating a position and a grey level value of each pixel constituting the image formed under control of the controller; and a calculation unit that calculates a misregistration with respect to the first direction of the image formed by the image forming unit, based on a convolution operation performed on the read image data acquired by the acquisition unit, the convolution operation using a reference periodic function whose variable is a position in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a density detector that detects image density, and a memory that stores information relating image density to dot size. When a dot size is specified, the image forming device automatically obtains the corresponding image density from the information in the memory, prints a test pattern, compares its density with the density corresponding to the specified dot size, and adjusts an image forming parameter until the density corresponding to the specified dot size is obtained. Dot size can be accurately adjusted in this way without the need for elaborate measuring equipment. In particular, the size of dots used to embed invisible information in images can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for faster monochrome printing in an in-line electrophotographic printer is described. The printer is configured such that it has more light emitting sources for use in an image transfer assembly for black than for image transfer assemblies for any other color in the printer. When printing a color print job, less than all of the light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly are used. A print controller directs print data for a monochrome print job to all of the available light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly and increases the print medium transport speed. The system and method may be configured to operate with dedicated data channels for each light emitting source or may share some data channels for monochrome and color print jobs.

Abstract: A substrate marking apparatus for use in combination with a substrate comprising a multi-colour change diacetylene compound is disclosed. The substrate marking apparatus comprises: at least two radiation sources operable to emit radiation of different wavelengths, optical transformation elements and a control system. The control system takes digital file information and converts this to a set of emission instructions for the radiation sources. The radiation sources are then applied to the substrate in sequence and intensity determined by the control system such that the substrate is activated to change from a colourless state to any one of a range of multiple permanent colours.

Abstract: An optical scanning device configured to irradiate an object with light generating from a light source via at least one mirror with a first end portion and second end portion which are attached to a housing and to scan the object with the irradiating light is provided, wherein the first end portion of the at least one mirror is movably supported by the housing and the second end portion of the at least one mirror is bonded to the housing.

Abstract: An optical writing device stores pieces of dithering information indicating dithering patterns whose densities are different, each piece of dithering information including pieces of identification information associated with pixels of the corresponding dithering pattern, and stores pieces of pixel setting information in which pieces of colored/colorless information indicating each of the pixels is colored or colorless are associated with the pieces of identification information, the pieces of colored/colorless information being set based on a resolution of a light source for forming an electrostatic latent image. The optical writing device also includes a control unit configured to arrange the same dithering patterns in a way that the dithering patterns form a pattern with a given size, and cause the light source to emit light based on information generated by setting the pixels of each of the same dithering patterns to be colored or colorless in accordance with the pixel setting information.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming apparatus includes an exposure unit to direct optical beams for optically writing different single-color images on image carriers, respectively, a pattern forming unit to form a positioning pattern on a transport member, a pattern detector to detect the positioning pattern, disposed above the transport member, a positional data detector disposed on a scanning line to detect positional data in a sub-scanning direction of the optical beams, an adjustment unit, and a storage unit. The adjustment unit detects positional deviations among the different single-color images based on detection results generated by both the pattern detector and the positional data detector, respectively, and then corrects the positional deviations. The storage unit stores as reference data the positional data in the sub-scanning direction of the optical beams detected when the positional deviations are corrected.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus.

Abstract: A specified specific color is input, and a patch pattern that contains a large number of patches corresponding to a color adjacent to the specific color is read by a front-side scanner and a back-side scanner. The color difference between read values for the front side and read values for the back side is corrected.

Abstract: An optical beam scanning apparatus is disclosed, including: a laser source that emits an optical beam, a deflection part that deflects the optical beam, a light receiving part that receives a returning light of the optical beam which is deflected toward the laser source by the deflection part, a signal generation part that generates a synchronization detection signal, and an optical source drive part that conducts a lighting control of the laser source. The light receiving part is arranged in vicinity to the laser source. The signal generation part detects a timing at which the light receiving part receives the returning light, by an output signal from the light receiving part to generate the synchronization detection signal. The optical source drive part conducts the lighting control of the laser source in response to the synchronization detection signal as a reference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for faster monochrome printing in an in-line electrophotographic printer is described. The printer is configured such that it has more light emitting sources for use in an image transfer assembly for black than for image transfer assemblies for any other color in the printer. When printing a color print job, less than all of the light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly are used. A print controller directs print data for a monochrome print job to all of the available light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly and increases the print medium transport speed. The system and method may be configured to operate with dedicated data channels for each light emitting source or may share some data channels for monochrome and color print jobs.

Abstract: In a color misalignment detection method, an alignment pattern is obtained by designating a plurality of lines having line width and line intervals formed by superposing a line image of a black color as a reference color and a line image of a color other than the reference color, for example, a cyan line image, as one patch, and continuously forming these patches by shifting the relative position between the line images of the two colors by an optional quantity. An alignment pattern detection sensor has a light emitting diode and a photodiode. These elements are arranged along the scanning direction of the alignment pattern such that the photodiode can only receive diffused reflected light of reflected light from the alignment pattern. A spot shape of the light emitting diode and a spot shape of the photodiode are both formed in a square shape.

Abstract: A method for determining a location on an image bearing surface of an image printing system where a toner image is to be printed is provided. The method comprises generating a first signal from a detector that is configured to detect a reference mark on the image bearing surface, and a second signal from a clock system that counts incremental movements of the image bearing surface, determining a first value that correlates the first signal and the second signal, where the first value corresponds to a value of the second signal at a start of characterization of the image bearing surface, and determining a second value using the first value, where the second value provides the location on the image bearing surface where the toner image is to be printed.

Abstract: An exposure unit which exposes photoconductive drums having rotary axes thereof arranged parallel to each other on a single plane by light beams, includes one or more polygon mirrors each having a plurality of reflection surfaces, where the one or more polygon mirrors rotate about a common rotary axis. Each light beam is deflected by the one or more polygon mirrors and scans the surface of a corresponding photoconductive drum. The common rotary axis is separated from the rotary axes of the photoconductive drums by identical distances along respective normals which are perpendicular to both the common rotary axis and the rotary axes of the photoconductive drums.

Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a laser controller generates a signal which corresponds to an output signal of a laser beam detection sensor before detecting an abnormality, in which the abnormality is detected, in a pseudo manner, on the basis of an output signal of a laser beam detection sensor in which the abnormality is not detected. In addition, the laser controller controls a laser unit which corresponds to the laser beam detection sensor in which the abnormality is detected, according to the generated signal.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing the processing of print data at a printing device based upon available consumable resources. A printing device includes a print process configured to determine consumable resources that are currently available at the printing device. The print process is further configured to determine which print data is to be processed based upon the consumable resources currently available at the printing device and the consumable resources required to completely process each of the print data. Print data that can be completely processed using the currently available consumable resources are selected for processing. The print process may also be configured to cause a notification to be provided to a client device to indicate the consumable resources currently available at a printing device and/or that insufficient consumable resources were available to process particular print data and to recommend other consumable resources to process the particular print data.

Abstract: An optical scanning device that optically scans a surface to be scanned in a main-scanning direction includes a light source; an optical deflector that has a reflective surface rotating on an axis of rotation of the reflective surface and deflects a light beam emitted from the light source; a scanning optical system that guides the light beam deflected by the optical deflector to the surface to be scanned; and a flow guide member that is provided near the optical deflector and turns back a flow of air generated by rotation of the reflective surface toward the reflective surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to increase or optimize the illumination used with a sensor to measure printed ink colors on a substrate at high speed (up to 3 m/s) and high resolution. By modifying the number of light sources, their wavelengths and/or their relative intensities, the optical contrast can be increased or optimized to yield a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved accuracy for the measurement of multiple colors. In one implementation, multiple LEDs with selected output peak wavelength may be used to achieve higher contrast imaging for each color.

Abstract: An optical beam scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source, a pre-deflection optical system, a light deflecting device, a post-deflection optical system configured to at least include one or plural first optical elements which act on the luminous fluxes for all color components, plural second optical elements which respectively act on the luminous fluxes for each of color components, and plural first reflection mirrors that are respectively provided on an upstream side of the plural second optical elements in optical paths and reflect luminous fluxes emitted from the first optical elements, and a position adjusting mechanism configured to adjust positions of the first reflection mirrors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; a first body which rotatably supports the photosensitive member; an exposing unit which exposes the photosensitive member; a second body which supports the exposing unit movably between an exposing position in which the exposing unit exposes the photosensitive member and a retracting position in which the exposing unit is retracted from the photosensitive member; a first grounding unit which, when the exposing unit is positioned at the exposing position, causes the exposing unit to be electrically connected to the first body; and a second grounding unit which, when the exposing unit is positioned at the retracting position, causes the exposing unit to be electrically connected to the first body via the second body.

Abstract: A disclosed surface-emitting laser module includes a surface-emitting laser formed on a substrate to emit light perpendicular to its surface, a package including a recess portion in which the substrate having the surface-emitting laser is arranged, and a transparent substrate arranged to cover the recess portion of the package and the substrate having the surface-emitting laser such that the transparent substrate and the package are connected on a light emitting side of the surface-emitting laser. In the surface-emitting laser module, a high reflectance region and a low reflectance region are formed within a region enclosed by an electrode on an upper part of a mesa of the surface-emitting laser, and the transparent substrate is slanted to the surface of the substrate having the surface-emitting laser in a polarization direction of the light emitted from the surface-emitting laser determined by the high reflectance region and the low reflectance region.

Abstract: At least one of a coupling lens and a cylindrical lens has a diffraction lens surface having a ring-band structure with a height h between adjacent ring-bands. The diffraction lens surface has an area A having a shape similar to that of the ring-band structure with a height h?, where h?h?. The ring-band structure has a function of correcting a fluctuation in focal position of the scanning beam on the scanning surface, and the area A has a function of expanding a focal depth of a light spot on the scanning surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers and an optical writing device including light sources that emit light beams of different wavelengths, a deflector that deflects the light beams emitted from the light sources and synthesized on an identical axis in a sub-scanning direction, a first beam separator, a second beam separator, a first imaging device, and a second imaging device. The first beam separator and the second beam separator are located between the first imaging device and the second imaging device and transmit or reflect the light beams according to travel directions or wavelengths thereof. One of the targets is scanned with the light beam transmitted through the second beam separator. Another target is scanned with the light beam reflected by the second and first beam separators. The first and second imaging devices narrow the beams in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of storing information in or on an article, wherein the article comprises a colour former which is selectively irradiated to produce a multi-coloured code comprising at least three different colours. Also provided by the invention is an article comprising a multi-coloured code comprising at least three different colours, obtainable by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A tandem type color image forming apparatus, which can continuously form color images each containing two or more colors, including: a signal creating section having, for each color, two or more image area setting counters for generating an image valid area signal to set a starting position and a width of an image formation area in a sub-scanning direction; and a control section for executing color image formation control on a predetermined face of paper, based on an image top signal for controlling writing of an image on an image carrier and the image valid area signal for each color, wherein the control section sets each of the outputs of the image area setting counters independently according to a preset image formation mode, and selects and controls one of the image area setting counters for each image formation of each color.

Abstract: Positioning displacement characteristics of each of scanning beams are obtained in advance. The positioning displacement characteristics is indicative of a relation between temperature and a displacement amount by which each of the scanning beams is displaced in a sub-scanning direction. A displacement control is performed based on the positioning displacement characteristics by shifting the positioning displacement characteristics in a direction opposite to that of a trend of the positioning displacement characteristics within a pixel pitch.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector, and an optical system including an elongated optical element that focuses deflected luminous flux on a surface of a medium to be scanned. The optical element is supported by a first elastic member and reinforced by a reinforcing member arranged outside a beam effective range along a length of the optical element. The optical element is pressed by a pressing member in a pressing direction orthogonal to a deflection direction, and biased by a second elastic member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The pressing member and the second elastic member control a posture of the optical element at a substantially central part in a main scanning direction.

Abstract: To provide an image data processing circuit with high productivity and a color image forming apparatus using the same by enabling sharing of the image data processing circuit between a four-rotation machine and a quadruple tandem machine, and reduction of registers for four colors arranged for the four-rotation machine to a single register for one color. There is provided an image forming apparatus in which a first image processing unit out of first and second image processing units provided in an image data processing circuit executes a first image processing for an image read by a scanner unit, stores an image signal in a page memory, the second image processing unit reads the image signal from the page memory according to a synchronous signal generated in an engine unit to execute a second image processing, and the engine unit forms the image on the basis of the results therefrom.

Abstract: Personalization of identity card by producing a color image thereon by selectively exposing photon-sensitive layers on the card to change between transparent and opaque thereby selectively revealing opaque colors from the photon-sensitive layer or from a printed substrate. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A first beam separation device is arranged either to allow the light beams to enter and pass or to reflect the light beams in accordance with a direction of entrance of the light beams. A second beam separation device is provided either to allow or to reflect the light beams having passed through the first beam separation device in accordance a wavelength thereof. The light beam passing through the second beam separation device scans one of plural scan objectives and the light beam reflected by the second beam separation device is further reflected by the first beam separation device and then scans the other one of the plural scan objectives. A first imaging device is provided to correct a f-theta (f?) performance and a curvature of an imaging plane to enable the light beams to scan the plural scan objectives at a constant speed. The first imaging device is integral with the first beam separation device.

Abstract: A light scanning unit by which misalignment in imaging caused by a scanning angle can be reduced. The light scanning unit includes a light source array device having a plurality of light sources, an imaging optics, and an optical deflection module. The plurality of light sources are used selectively in accordance with positions of light beams in a scanning direction on a to-be-scanned surface.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector, and an optical system including an elongated optical element that focuses deflected luminous flux on a surface of a medium to be scanned. The optical element is supported by a first elastic member and reinforced by a reinforcing member arranged outside a beam effective range along a length of the optical element. The optical element is pressed by a pressing member in a pressing direction orthogonal to a deflection direction, and biased by a second elastic member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The pressing member and the second elastic member control a posture of the optical element at a substantially central part in a main scanning direction.

Abstract: A system and a method print one or more images to one or more reimageable documents, wherein the one or more representative of at least a portion of a digital file. The method includes a connecting a portable printer to a computing device. Moreover, the method includes emitting ultraviolet light from a light source, wherein an imaging layer of the reimageable document is imagable by ultraviolet light, wherein ultraviolet light forms a color contrast on the imaging layer that defines an image representative of at least a portion of the digital file.

Abstract: A position detecting device includes a plurality of detecting units that detects marks on an object, a plurality of housing units that houses the detecting units, and a holding member that fixedly holds the housing units. A total expansion amount of the housing units due to temperature change is substantially equal to an expansion amount of the holding member between the fixed positions due to temperature change. The total expansion amount represents a total amount of expansion of the housing units from a fixed-position plane including a fixed position to a detection-position plane including a detection position in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the object. The fixed-position plane and the detection-position plane are perpendicular to the moving direction of the object.

Abstract: A multicolor direct thermal imaging method and an imaging member for use therein, wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member having at least two different image-forming compositions capable of forming two different colors. Heat is used to form an image in the first color at a first speed of travel of the thermal imaging member with respect to the source of heat, and heat is used to form an image in the second color at a second speed of travel of the thermal imaging member with respect to the source of heat, where the first speed of travel and the second speed of travel are different from each other.

Abstract: A method of printing using an image-on-image device that includes a photoreceptor, including monochrome exposing the photoreceptor or monochrome charging the photoreceptor, wherein monochrome exposing the photoreceptor includes charging the photoreceptor, successively exposing the photoreceptor in a monochrome mode using a plurality of exposing devices during a single revolution of the photoreceptor relative to the exposing devices, and developing a monochrome image on the photoreceptor; and monochrome charging the photoreceptor includes successively charging the photoreceptor via a plurality of charging devices during a single revolution of the photoreceptor relative to the charging devices, exposing the photoreceptor using an exposing device, and developing an image on the photoreceptor. A marking device capable of implementing the method of printing.

Abstract: A single mode laser beam output from a single mode semiconductor laser and a multimode laser beam output from a multimode semiconductor laser are combined with each other by a polarization beam splitter, the combined laser beam is used by a deflection scanning mechanism to perform main scanning, and an image of the combined laser beam is formed on a surface of a thermal recording medium by a scanning lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image on a media while the media is moved relative to an imaging head. The media can include a pattern of registration sub-regions. The image can include patterns of features, such as color filter features or colored illumination sources which can be registered with the pattern of registration sub-regions. The imaging method can include operating an imaging head to emit a plurality of independently-controllable radiation beams while scanning over media to form an image on the media. The imaging channel of the imaging head can be operated to emit a radiation beam having a first intensity while scanning in a first direction over the media during a first scan and to emit a radiation beam having a second, different intensity while scanning in a second, opposite direction over the media during a second scan.

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: An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, and an optical writing device including at least one light source, at least one aperture, at least one light shield, a light deflector, an image forming lens, and a housing. The aperture adjusts a light beam generated by the light source into a reference shape. The light shield shields an optical path formed between the light source and the aperture by the light beam. The light deflector deflects the light beam to scan in a main scanning direction. The image forming lens focuses the deflected light beam to scan on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. The housing contains the light source, the light deflector, and the image forming lens. The housing is integrally molded with the aperture and the light shield.