Abstract: A defect once around signal time period of a defect source inherent in a marking device is determined, the defect source having one or more banding frequencies. A reference scanline time delay, which is a time between a page sync signal and a writing of a reference scanline, is determined. A test target is written, sensed and analyzed. A reference scanline phase offset of each banding frequency relative to the reference scanline is determined. A banding phase of each banding frequency is determined based at least on the defect once around signal time period, reference scanline time delay and reference scanline phase offset.

Abstract: Defect and maintenance detection for an image capture device (ICD) capable of distinguishing between a defect in the ICD and one on the imaged object. The defect detection system includes, inter alia: a value combiner that combines a brightest image video value for each sensing element of the ICD experiencing the imaged object with a corresponding stored device video value to create a combined value for each image video value; and a defect determinator determines the presence of a defect(s) by comparing the combined values to a defect threshold. The maintenance detection system includes a determinator that determines when maintenance is required based on whether a single image is considered defective or whether a number of consecutive defective images have been created. Device video values are updated sluggishly according to corresponding image video values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring image on paper registration including placing a test sheet of media including a plurality of test pattern marks on a platen of an image sensing device. The platen defines a scan area over which the image sensing device is capable of scanning an image. The image sensing device includes a plurality of calibration marks falling within the scan area. The method further includes operating the scanner to scan the test sheet; determining a scanned position of the calibration marks and a scanned position of the test marks resulting from the scan; comparing the scanned position of the calibration marks with reference position of the calibration marks to determine scanning error; determining an adjusted position of the test marks responsive to the scanning error; and comparing the adjusted test mark positions with predetermined reference positions to measure registration accuracy. An edge guide disposed on the platen assists in aligning the test sheet for scanning.

Abstract: At the time of setting a correction value for a certain density (subject density), a higher side density that is higher than the certain density and a lower side density that is lower than the certain density to be referenced according to the measured value of a region printed at the certain density are arbitrarily specified, and a correction value for the certain density is set by using at least one of a measured value of the density of a region printed at the arbitrarily specified higher side density and a measured value of the density of a region printed at the arbitrarily specified lower side density.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a test chart is provided. First, a reference scanning device scans a reference test chart to obtain a plurality of reference optical density (OD) values. The reference test chart includes a plurality of reference blocks. Then, the reference scanning device scans a test chart to obtain a plurality of first OD values. The test chart includes a plurality of blocks, which corresponds to the reference blocks. Next, a compensation function derived from respectively converting the first OD values into the reference OD values is obtained.

Abstract: A modem transmission level and modem sensitivity which are communication control information corresponding to the connection form of each destination device are registered in advance in a destination information storage unit so as to be correlated with an abbreviated dialing number of the destination. When a communication instruction using an abbreviated dialing number is received, if a modem transmission level and modem sensitivity are registered in the destination information storage unit as corresponding to the received abbreviated dialing number, the modem is controlled based on those registered modem transmission level and modem sensitivity. If neither a modem transmission level or modem sensitivity is registered as corresponding to the received abbreviated dialing number, the modem is controlled according to a modem transmission level and modem sensitivity that are registered in advance in the apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated adapter and fax device using the integrated adapter are provided. The power supply converting unit and line interface unit, each of which has a first section and a second section that are isolated from each other, are configured separately in the integrated adapter. Thus, product liability and safety standards are fundamentally satisfied, material costs of an external case of the fax device can be reduced, the external case can be more freely designed, and a power supply line and telephone line can be easily connected by a modular jack.

Abstract: An embodiment of a document processing apparatus that has a function of correcting image scanning resolution according to the present invention includes a first carriage mounted with a first reflector that reflects reflected light from a document fixed on an original placing glass plate in a predetermined direction and a second carriage mounted with a second reflector that changes a direction of incident light from the first reflector by 180°. A correction distance from a default position of the second carriage with which predetermined resolution is obtained in plural scanning positions of the first carriage is calculated. An operation of the second carriage is controlled based on the correction distance obtained.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading device, which comprises an illumination unit configured to diffuse light from light sources in a predetermined scanning direction to illuminate an object with diffused light, a reading unit having photoreceptors aligned in the predetermined scanning direction to receive light reflected from the object, a detection unit configured to detect lighting status of the light sources; and a controller that obtains an image of the object by using a normal one of the light sources as a main light source if at least one of the light sources is in an abnormal state.

Abstract: A method of estimating light output of a lamp in a scanner prior to the lamp being fully warmed-up. The method includes measuring a spectral characteristic of light emitted by a lamp in a scanner at a time t0 prior to the lamp being fully warmed-up and estimating the light output of the lamp at a time t1 based on the measured spectral characteristic, wherein t1 is greater than t0. A method of scanning, as well as a scanning apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: In order to adjust density of a colorant of an image forming apparatus, a plurality of adjustment condition data sets is provided. An image forming engine of the image forming apparatus forms a test pattern image of a test pattern using the colorant. A detector of the image forming apparatus detects a density level of the colorant from the test pattern image to output a detected density. A controller of the image forming apparatus selects one of the plurality of adjustment condition data sets as a selected adjustment condition data set, and performs density adjustment according to the selected adjustment condition data set.

Abstract: A system (100) and a method (500) are described for determining a two-dimensional position of a location in an image. The method (500) starts by imaging (510) a two-dimensional pattern (440). The two-dimensional pattern comprises a plurality of at least partially overlapping two-dimensional sub-patterns (410, 420, 430). The sub-patterns (410, 420, 430) repeat with different spatial periods to form the two-dimensional pattern, and the spatial period of the sub-patterns are anharmonic. A two-dimensional offset for each of the sub-patterns is then determined (540) at the location in the image formed by the imaging. The two-dimensional position is determined from said two-dimensional offsets.

Abstract: A wireless mode between a scanner and an image communication apparatus is changed, in response to completion of image transmission from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, completion of print of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, completion of transmission via a communication line connected to the image communication apparatus of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, instructions to stop print of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, instructions to stop transmission via the communication line connected to the image communication apparatus of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, and states of the scanner and the image communication apparatus at a predetermined time and so on. For example, a low power consumption mode and communication mode of Bluetooth communication are switched to each other.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs a processing of checking periodically whether data addressed to the image processing apparatus exist in a server apparatus while suppressing power consumption as much as possible. The NIC communicates with the server apparatus to check whether a storage unit of the server apparatus stores object data for processing addressed to the image processing apparatus. An energization switching unit switches the energization (power supply) to a main controlling unit that acquires the data addressed to the image processing apparatus from the server apparatus. The NIC controls the energization switching unit to activate the main controlling unit and the printer unit on the condition that the object data for processing addressed to the image processing apparatus is present.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of generating a dither matrix that stores each of a plurality of threshold values in each of elements for determining a status of dot formation of each print pixel of a print image to be produced on a printing medium by carrying out halftone processing on image data.

Abstract: A method for automatically measuring image quality using a dual optical path image scanner an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal to measure image quality, moving a flip-mirror into an optical path of the image scanner, initiating scanning and printing of a test image for measuring image quality, outputting the test image, and measuring image quality based on the output test image.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating image data of a document by reading an image depicted on the document having a plurality of surfaces to be read. The method includes: reading, by an image reader, a surface image that is an image depicted on each of the surfaces; detecting, by an error detector, a faulty surface that is a surface of the plurality of surfaces of the document and corresponds to a scanned image on which an error occurs, the scanned image being obtained by reading the surface image; reading, by the image reader, the surface image repeatedly until the error is not detected; and generating, by an image data generating portion, the image data by merging data on the plurality of the scanned images on which the error is not detected and which correspond to the surfaces.

Abstract: Calibrating a white level in an image scanning device. A target white level is accessed. A high white level is determined for pixel data output by an amplifier. A gain adjustment to the amplifier is determined to correct a portion of an error between the target white level and the high white level. The gain adjustment is applied to the amplifier.

Abstract: A scanning device and a scanning method thereof are provided. The scanning device includes a scanning group, a paper-feed roller and a calibration portion. The scanning group includes a line light source generating module and a scanning module. The line light source generating module includes a point light source, a light-guiding plate and a casing. The light emitted by the point light source along a first direction is converted into a line light source through a light-guiding plate disposed in the casing. The light emitted by the line light source along a second direction is emitted from an opening of the casing. The scanning module, along the first direction, includes a scan document region and a calibration region. The light reflected through the to-be-scanned document is received in the scan document region. The calibration portion disposed on the casing or the paper-feed roller corresponds to the calibration region.

Abstract: An image forming device, which is capable of double-side printing to form an image on each of first and second sides of a recording medium, includes a calibration unit configured to perform calibration for modifying quality of the image to be formed, a first judging unit configured to judge, for each page to be printed, whether the calibration is to be performed, a second judging unit configured to judge whether a page to be printed is one of a first side in one-side printing and a first side in the double-side printing, and a control unit configured to control the calibration unit to perform the calibration when the first judging unit judges that the calibration is to be performed, and the second judging unit judges that the page to be printed is one of the first side in the one-side printing and the first side in the double-side printing.

Abstract: This invention relates to modifying built-in software in printing and copier machines. In particular, the modification will be to software relating to the transfer system control algorithms. This modification can take place when different paper, substrate, toner or environment changes. The purpose of this modification is to provide an optimum image quality when any of these conditions change.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods (900) and apparatuses (600) for determining a location of a graphical object (2220) printed onto a print medium (230), said graphical object comprising a plurality of object marks, the method comprising the steps of superposing a two-dimensional reference pattern (710) having a pre-defined degree of accuracy over the printed graphical object, the two-dimensional reference pattern comprising a plurality of pattern marks (770); scanning the superposed printed graphical object and reference pattern to produce a scanned image (2400); determining a location coordinate (2923) of the graphical object in the scanned image (2400); and refining the location coordinate dependent upon the scanned reference pattern to determine a reference pattern coordinate (2904?) associated with the location coordinate (2923). Also disclosed are methods (1800), apparatuses, and computer program products for determining a head size (420) of a print head (3110) of a printer (3100) using the aforementioned method.

Abstract: For an automatic image diagnosis, toned images or residual toner existing on the photoconductive surface of a photoreceptor may be scanned with light energy provided by the raster scanning system. The light energy, which may be reflected from the photoreceptor surface, may be disturbed due to scattering/absorption in toned or damaged surface regions. The light energy may be directed to image sensors to obtain a spatial image map of the photoreceptor surface in conjunction with pixel clock information present for the raster scanning system. The evaluation may be made based on the spatial image map. Diagnostic and maintenance may then be applied to correct the defect and/or adjust a tone level for a latent image formed on the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet discharging apparatus including a discharge head for deflectively discharging droplets through one discharge port at a plurality of pixel areas in adaptive fashion. The discharge head is controlled to discharge droplets at an object. A storage unit stores status information about the discharge head. A communication unit communicates with an information processing apparatus located outside so as to transmit the status information to the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-functional sensor for deriving information on a recording sheet material comprising an impact-applying unit for applying an external mechanical force onto the recording sheet material, a signal-detecting unit for detecting a signal of response of the recording sheet material to the external mechanical force, a signal-processing unit for processing the signal, and a signal-judging unit for deriving a property of the recording sheet material by comparison of a signal from the signal-detecting unit or the signal processing unit with information memorized preliminarily, wherein the signal-processing unit comprises a separation section for separating the signal from the signal-detecting unit into output signals on the properties of the recording sheet material, and a processing section for deriving, by statistical treatment, a correlation equation showing a correlation between the separated output signal and the properties of the recording sheet material.

Abstract: A correction value determination unit determines a light quantity correction value for each main scanning position of each original based on a reading value obtained by an image reading unit reading a reference member. An anomaly detection unit detects, based on the light quantity correction value with respect to the preceding original and the light quantity correction value with respect to the succeeding original, an anomaly in the correction value, and specifies a main scanning position at which the anomaly occurs. A modification unit modifies a reading value at the main scanning position at which the anomaly occurs, out of reading values obtained from the reference member with respect to the succeeding original, or a correction value for the main scanning position at which the anomaly occurs, out of light quantity correction values with respect to the succeeding original.

Abstract: A method of scanning a target image and inhibiting backtrack artifacts from the scanned image comprises the steps of initiating a scan on a flat bed scanner, the flat bed scanner comprising at least a scanbar, a memory buffer and a motion control pattern comprised of a plurality of spaced elements, each element having an angled portion with respect to the motion of the scanbar; acquiring scan data comprising a motion control pattern data and an image data with said scanbar; storing the previously acquired scan data in a memory buffer; querying whether the memory buffer reaches a preselected full threshold; acquiring a last valid scan data; stopping and backtracking the scanbar when the memory buffer preselected full threshold is met; and, inhibiting backtrack artifacts by one of a first real-time position analysis or a post-processing analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate improving error estimation for calibration error due to clipping of pixels, and compensation therefor, during calibration of a scanner or printer. Calibration patches are measured at a first maximum pixel value threshold and at a slightly lower threshold value. Pixel values for the patches at each threshold are averaged, and a linear model is constructed, which is employed to predict error due to pixel clipping. The error is then compensated for when calibrating the scanner or printer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system to generate device dependent color space representations for an image output device. The method and system are particularly applicable to a printing device, where gamut boundary separated profile methods are executed to map device in-gamut and device out-of-gamut colors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); operating a recording head (16) comprising a plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form at least one image feature on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the at least one image feature while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting activation timing of a portion of the recording channels in accordance with the detected distortion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing the calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17): operating a recording head (16) comprising plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form a first image feature (60) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; operating a recording head to form a second image feature (62) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, the second orientation being different from the first orientation; detecting variance in an expected separation between the first image feature and the second image feature; and making an imaging correction in accordance with the detected variance.

Abstract: A diagnostic system provides help to a user utilizing a data store that stores one or more solutions to at least one error. A storage component logs error data and associates errors, responses to the errors, and information indicative of whether each of the error responses was successful or unsuccessful. A linking component receives the error data from a source and identifies an appropriate solution to the error data from the information logged in the storage component. A presentation component presents the appropriate solution to a user.

Abstract: A method for testing a printing system for printing information-embedded regions includes transmitting a test sheet data file to a print service provider. The test sheet data file includes a plurality of complete or incomplete information-embedded regions. A sample printed using the test sheet data file is received from the print service provider. The printed sample is evaluated, and a record of the evaluation is created. The evaluation record is stored.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus including: an image reading section to read an image; a storage section to store the image; and a control section to detect whether or not the image reading section is in a state of pausing reading of the image, to determine transfer speed of the image to an external device based on a detected result, and to transfer the image to an external device at a determined transfer speed.

Abstract: An image reading method according to the present invention involves causing an image sensor for reading an image of a document to move from a side at which the document is placed toward a home position of the image sensor, causing to reverse a movement direction at a turn-back position after the image sensor has passed the home position, and causing the image sensor to move to the home position again.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a controller of a scanner includes obtaining a scan of a predefined image. The method further includes moving the sensor-element signals of the control signal pattern generated by the controller earlier in the pattern by at least one unit and obtaining an additional scan. The obtaining and moving are repeated until a comparison of a latest additional scan to the image is worse than a comparison of a second-latest additional scan to the image. Another method obtains a noise-reducing heuristic which modifies a time parameter of a sensor-element signal. A set of repeated scans of a same scan line is obtained, noise is measured there from, the time parameter is modified by one predetermined unit, and the process repeats until the noise measured from the latest set of repeated scans is worse than that from the second-latest set of repeated scans.

Abstract: An automatic scanner calibration method and apparatus is disclosed in which a calibration target, such as a Kodak® gray strip, is attached to a scanning surface of a scanner. During a normal scan, the calibration target area can be ignored or scanned depending on user selection. If the calibration target is scanned, then the resulting information is used to calibrate the scanner automatically. Such calibration is more accurate than an older in time or preset default calibration. Another embodiment of the invention actuates a print of a printer calibration target on a printer on a scheduled basis. Thereafter, the user can take the printer calibration target and place it on the scanner and perform a calibration of a scanner/printer system.

Abstract: An image printing/reading apparatus in which a reference white board for prescanning can be prevented from being soiled with ink, and the influence of stray light from a paper discharge port can be reduced. A commonality of a print sheet path for conveyance of print sheet and a document path for conveyance of document is at least partially realized as a common path. A reading unit is provided with a reference white board for shading correction used upon execution of prescanning. Upon execution of document reading, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a document reading position. On the other hand, upon execution of prescanning, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a retreat position where the influence of ambient light is reduced. Further, upon printing, the reading unit and the reference white board are also moved to the retreat position for preventing the reference white board from being soiled with ink.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a reflection member to reflect light at a first position spaced a predetermined distance from a scan glass; a moving unit to move the reflection member between the first position and a second position; and a control unit to generate initial reference data from an image signal transmitted from a scanning device to receive the light reflected by the reflection member. When the initial reference data is not suitable for shading correction, the control unit controls the moving unit to move the reflection member to the second position for reference data reacquisition.

Abstract: The banner or cover sheet for a print job may be used for aperiodic sampling of transfer performance and/or fusing performance. Sensing pre-process and post-process is required. The resulting sampling is aperiodic and dependent on the job flow. In office products there is typically a frequent generation of cover sheets and the information collected in this way can be useful in system performance optimization. The concept is described for a tandem transfer system.

Abstract: The method or system for controlling a printing or copying system for processing single sheets, a first single sheet and at least a second single sheet immediately following the first single sheet is processed with aid of n processing units. A required minimum distance between the first and the second single sheet is determined for each processing unit. A delay distance is determined for the first and at least for each of the n?1 following processing units. A difference between the minimum distance of a processing unit and a sum of the delay distances of the preceding processing units is formed. A smallest possible distance with which the second single sheet is fed to the first processing unit after the first single sheet is determined by a highest value of the determined minimum distance of the first processing unit and the determined differences.

Abstract: A method for determining a toner usage estimate for a print job to be performed by a printing system having at least one print engine and at least one controller includes determining a set of print conditions for the print job and selecting a set of parameters associated with the print conditions. The method further includes estimating a total amount of toner usage for each of the print job's pages. The set of parameters may include image rendering, job dependent and engine dependent parameters.

Abstract: A first series of control patches is printed with a first marking engine. A second series of control patches is printed with a second marking engine. Relative reflectance values of the patches printed with the first and second marking engines are measured with respective first and second engine response sensors. Based at least on a difference in the measured relative reflectance values of the control patches printed with the first and second marking engines, a relative engine to engine error is determined. The engine to engine error is decomposed into components. Based on the decomposition, adjustment of at least binary values of a digital image is determined so that print density of a first marking engine output substantially matches print density of a second marking engine output.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes: a carriage, including an image reading sensor for reading an image from a document, and reciprocating in a predetermined range; contact portions, disposed at both ends of the predetermined range; a judgment section, judging whether the carriage comes in contact with the contact portions; a positional information temporary determining section, temporarily determining positional information when the judgment section judges that the carriage comes in contact with one of the contact portions; and a positional information check section, checking whether the positional information is correct based on a moving distance between positions where the judgment section judges that the carriage comes in contact with the contact portions, and determining the positional information when it is confirmed that the positional information is correct.

Abstract: In a communications device, a terminal machine transmits/receives data over a network and makes a request for a response to a data transmission from a receiving-end machine. In the terminal machine, an e-mail message identifying unit determines whether data to be received over the network is response data to the response request, and a main control unit controls so as to preferentially receive data identified as the response data by the e-mail message identifying unit over other data. Thus, if an e-mail message is transmitted with a request for a disposition verification, a reply message to the disposition verification request can be quickly received from the receiving-end machine.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading device including: a light source; an image forming unit including plural optical members that receive reflection light reflected from the document and form an image from the received light; plural light receiving units that receive the light formed into an image by the image forming unit and convert the light to an electric signal; a storing unit that stores plural kinds of correction data; a detecting unit that detects an amount of relative positional shift between a light receiving unit and the image forming unit for each light receiving unit; and a correcting unit that selects correction data suitable for each light receiving unit from the plural kinds of correction data stored in the storing unit based on the detected amount of relative positional shift, and corrects the electric signal converted by each light receiving unit based on the correction data.

Abstract: A gloss difference control method includes: forming a predetermined image on a sheet in each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network; measuring a glossiness of the image formed on each sheet; and controlling a gloss difference among the plurality of image forming apparatuses by changing a gloss adjustment parameter of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, based on a plurality of the measured glossiness.

Abstract: A scanner capable of being folded and unfolded, the scanner including a first unit having a first scanning unit which scans a document; a second unit which is rotatably disposed to the first unit, and having a second scanning unit which moves between a folded position in which the second scanning unit faces the first scanning unit, and an unfolded position in which the second scanning unit is unfolded from the folded position; and a moving unit which moves at least one of the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit in at least one of a focus adjusting direction and a transverse direction according to a transport direction of the document.

Abstract: In a computer network consisting of at least one host computer and computer peripheral devices, such as scanners, fax machines, and printers, a user may use a hot key on the scanner to copy, scan, e-mail, and faxing etc. via the control of an application program. An auto-crop module implemented in the host computer can automatically crop the image of a scanned sheet. The cropped image is saved in the memory device. Before sending the cropped image to the computer peripheral devices, the computing module will compute the output format of the cropped image according to the resolution requirement and scaling factor of the associated computer peripheral device. The retained position will be also saved in the memory. In response to the user operation, the image of the scanned sheet with its retained position will be transmitted to the printer or facsimile machine via the control of the application program.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for fast finding the best resolution of an optical scanning device during assembling steps. The present invention improves the graphics of the calibration device. Accompanying with calculation of an adjustment device, the present invention generates a referencing parameters. The parameters represent the resolution of the optical scanning device; and further is able to show the balance of horizontal resolution and the balance of vertical resolution. In this case, technicians can optimize the best position of the lens in order to build an optical scanning with precision and narrow the misalignment during assembly.