Device Independent Digital Reprographics

While digital copiers enable new reprographics supply chain models, conventional techniques and devices do not allow open and heterogeneous distribution. E-commerce exacerbates this problem by offering immediate and global access. While digital scanning, electronic distribution, and remote printing are practical, bilevel images are used which are not device independent. We describe a high performance technique with superior copy quality, based on two years of research, development, and production, that enables low skill operators to freely distribute copy jobs. This approach integrates common devices with original image quality techniques, culminating in flexible distribution options to support new digital reprographics business models.