Hewlett-Packard Company

Chiau Ho Ong

Chuin K Lim

San San Chan

A method for merging images is disclosed. The present invention may be implemented as a method for merging two or more images to produce a merged image using a mask. Each of these images has mutually corresponding pixels. In other words, each pixel value in an image has a spatially corresponding pixel in the other images. The mask has mask values, each mask value corresponding to a pixel in an image. The mask value is used to determine the corresponding pixel value of the merged image. One embodiment uses this mask value to set a corresponding pixel value of the merged image to a pixel value of one of the two or more images. Another embodiment uses the mask value as a weight. This weight is used to calculate the pixel value as a combination of corresponding pixel values of the two or more images. By using such a mask, a merged image may be formed avoiding artifacts resulting from decompressing a highly compressed image.

Method for merging images

Method and apparatus for monitoring actual usage of a battery in an ink-jet printer are described. The apparatus partitions a battery-operated or battery-backed up ink-jet printer into its various current-consuming subsystems or modules including sheet advance motor, carriage motor, printhead, logic and sleep circuitry. Firmware within the printer's controller monitors actual usage of each of the modules as a representation of energy consumption thereby and indicates the remaining battery capacity over the life of the printer. Motor usage is monitored by measuring sheet advance mechanism feed motor and printhead carriage drive motor travel distances; printhead usage is monitored by counting ink-jet firings; logic and sleep circuitry usage also may be monitored by estimating. Remaining battery capacity is determined, and optionally indicated more accurately and at negligible cost.

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Singapore, Singapore

Chiau Ho Ong