Methods and apparatus for calibrating digital imaging devices
Granted: May 25, 2010
Patent Number:
7724392
Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating a digital color imaging device to a printing press by determining a total colorant limit, per-channel colorant limits, and channel linearization tables using calorimetric and/or spectrophotometric techniques. In addition, for digital color imaging devices that use multi-hue colorants, methods and apparatus are provided for determining distribution functions for the multi-hue colorants as a function of input values.
Methods and apparatus for inserting tabs in a print job
Granted: April 27, 2010
Patent Number:
7706015
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a print job including a plurality of raster image processed pages. A tab page is created that includes a tab image located at a predetermined position in the tab page, the predetermined position associated with a tab position on tab stock. The tab page is raster image processed, and the rasterized tab page is inserted at a selected position in the print job. The tab image is detected on the rasterized tab page at the predetermined…
Methods and apparatus for print workflow processing
Granted: March 30, 2010
Patent Number:
7688458
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a print job through a copy of a workflow, modifying the copied workflow and reprocessing the print job only through the modified portion of the copied workflow. In addition, methods and apparatus in accordance with this invention are provided for modifying or inserting additional print files into a print job that has already been processed through a workflow, and processing only the modified or inserted print files through the workflow.
Methods and apparatus for profiling color output devices
Granted: March 30, 2010
Patent Number:
7688486
Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a color profile for a color output device including a plurality of colorants, the methods and apparatus printing a plurality of color patches on an output medium, measuring a spectral or colorimetric response for each of the printed patches and for the output medium, calculating spectral or colorimetric responses for overprint combinations of the colorants based on the measured spectral or colorimetric responses, calculating colorimetric…
Methods and apparatus for reconstructing digitized images
Granted: March 23, 2010
Patent Number:
7684085
Methods and apparatus for reconstructing digitized images are provided that include an image reconstruction path that receives a digitized image and provides a processed RGB or CMYK image that may be printed or stored in memory. The image reconstruction path is configured to operate in either a multiple scan or single scan environment if the source of the digitized image is a scanner. A plurality of optional functional units in the reconstruction path can be controlled by user or…
Apparatus and methods for full-width wide format inkjet printing
Granted: March 9, 2010
Patent Number:
7673965
Apparatus and methods are provided for wide format inkjet printing using conventional piezoelectric inkjet print heads that each print at a native resolution. A plurality of inkjet print heads are disposed in a print head array to print an image on the substrate at the native resolution across an entire width of the substrate without scanning across the width of the substrate. The print head array may be shifted in a direction parallel to the width of the substrate, and the print head…
Methods and apparatus for monitoring internal signals in an integrated circuit
Granted: February 23, 2010
Patent Number:
7669096
Apparatus and methods are provided for debugging an integrated circuit. Local multiplexer circuits are provided near first and second circuit blocks in the integrated circuit. Each multiplexer circuit includes input nodes, a control node, and an output node. A first input node of the first multiplexer circuit is coupled to an internal node of the first circuit block, a first input node of the second multiplexer circuit is coupled to an internal node of the second circuit block, second…
Systems for providing information access to network devices
Granted: January 26, 2010
Patent Number:
7653683
Systems, apparatus and methods are described for providing information access to network devices. A directory server registers identification information about a first network device coupled to a first network. The first network and the directory server may be coupled to a second network, which may include a wide area network, public network, or the Internet. The identification information may include a network address of the first network device on the first network, or a network…
Methods and apparatus for media selection in cluster printing systems
Granted: January 19, 2010
Patent Number:
7648293
Methods and apparatus are provided for specifying media in cluster printing systems that include printers that use device-specific media selection techniques, such as paper catalogs, media tray pulldown menus and media attribute pulldown menus.
Methods and apparatus for smoothing text outlines
Granted: December 22, 2009
Patent Number:
7636180
Methods and apparatus are provided to smooth a jagged outline of a reconstructed text generated through any of a variety of systems, such as, for example, an image scanner. Given the reconstructed text with a jagged outline, the methods smooth the outline of the text first through location of horizontal and vertical edges, and subsequent gray scale reconstruction of the edge ink level from a one-bit or a low number of bits edge pattern. The methods then provide identification of the…
Methods and apparatus for determining colorant limits for calibrating digital imaging devices
Granted: December 8, 2009
Patent Number:
7630106
Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating a digital color imaging device to a printing press by determining a total colorant limit, per-channel colorant limits, and channel linearization tables using colorimetric and/or spectrophotometric techniques. In addition, for digital color imaging devices that use multi-hue colorants, methods and apparatus are provided for determining distribution functions for the multi-hue colorants as a function of input values.
Radiation treatment for ink jet fluids
Granted: October 13, 2009
Patent Number:
7600867
A printing system that includes a source which emits UV radiation to polymerize a fluid that is deposited onto a substrate by one or more print heads. The source emits low energy UV radiation sufficient to set the fluid to a quasi-fluid, non-hardened state.
Apparatus and methods for editing hue and saturation in color profiles
Granted: October 6, 2009
Patent Number:
7598964
Apparatus and methods are provided for editing color profiles. In particular, apparatus and methods in accordance with this invention receive an output color including a first hue, identify from the color profile a plurality of output color values that have a hue substantially equal to the first hue, provide a user interface that allows a user to create an edited output color including a second hue, and shift the hue of the identified plurality of output color values from the first hue…
Iterative constraint collection scheme for preparation of custom manufacturing contracts
Granted: September 8, 2009
Patent Number:
7587336
A series of iterative customer submissions and vendor responses are used to collect sufficient information concerning a custom manufacturing project so as to produce a sufficiently constrained job request as to allow at least one of the vendors to submit a quote for the project. The submissions and responses are preferably made through Web forms and, in one example, the custom manufacturing project is a print job. The collection process is preferably computer assisted so as to…
Methods and systems for the provision of printing services
Granted: September 8, 2009
Patent Number:
7587468
The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing printing services over a communications network. In particular, the present invention enables a user to obtain print jobs at an unspecified location which may be remote from the source of the print job. A spooling server is used to store a print job received via the network from a print job source. A printer polling device is capable of polling the spooling server via the network to identify whether any print jobs…
Radiation curable ink compositions and applications thereof
Granted: August 25, 2009
Patent Number:
7579388
Radiation curable ink compositions that include a curable component having a functionality that is greater than two, is present in the ink composition in an amount greater than 30 percent by weight, and has a molecular weight in the range of about 400 g/mole to about 10,000 g/mole; a component that has a functionality that is less than or equal to 2; and an initiator component. A solvent component, pigment, a surface tension modifier and other materials also can be included. The…
Method and apparatus for controlling a document output device with a control request stored at a server
Granted: August 11, 2009
Patent Number:
7574545
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling a document output device. A control request for controlling the document output device is forwarded from a client device to a server via a network. The control request is stored at the server and communicated to the designated document output device in response to a polling request received via the network from a polling device associated with the designated document output device. Once received, the control request…
Methods and apparatus for requesting and receiving a print job at a printer
Granted: August 11, 2009
Patent Number:
7574546
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for requesting and receiving print jobs over a communications network. In particular, the present invention enables a user to obtain print jobs at a location which may be unspecified, and which may be remote from the source of the print job. A spooling server is used to store a print job received via the network from a print job source. A printer polling device, which may be used at a location remote from the client device, is…
Methods and apparatus for backlit and dual-sided imaging
Granted: July 21, 2009
Patent Number:
7562957
Methods and apparatus for backlit and dual-sided imaging are described. A print head array is provided comprising first and second print heads arranged along a single print head axis. The first print head is adapted to print first and second images on a substrate, and the second print head is adapted to print a coating layer between the first and second images. The coating layer may comprise a specialized printing fluid such as a layer of substantially white ink. The substrate may…
Methods and apparatus for reconstructing digitized images
Granted: July 21, 2009
Patent Number:
7564583
Methods and apparatus for reconstructing digitized images are provided that include an image reconstruction path that receives a digitized image and provides a processed RGB or CMYK image that may be printed or stored in memory. The image reconstruction path is configured to operate in either a multiple scan or single scan environment if the source of the digitized image is a scanner. A plurality of optional functional units in the reconstruction path can be controlled by user or…
