Abstract: A self reference-counting pointer that keeps the reference count of the object within the pointer-object that does not impose any restrictions on the object itself and can be used freely on objects already created. A reference count object is created and is attached to a pointer-object of the object when the first instance of the object is created. When subsequent references or copies of the object are made, the reference count is incremented, and the pointer object associated with the subsequent reference or copy of the object are attached to the reference count object. When any instance of the object goes out of scope, the pointer-object to that instance is detached from the reference count object and the reference count is decremented. When there are no instances of the object attached to the reference counter, then the reference counter is deleted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method to allow users to access and use data services, and then charge for such services using a point of sale system. Information about various services capable of being performed by a multifunction peripheral device is provided to the user, as well as the available payment options. The user selects the services to be performed and then selects the appropriate payment option. The user then provides selected information about the service the user wants to be performed. The user is then presented with the total cost of the service. Upon the user accepting the charges, the service is performed. The details of the transaction are archived and the user is billed for the service. The multifunctional peripheral device submits an authorization request to the point of sale server. The point of sale server authorizes or rejects the transaction request. If the transaction is authorized, the transaction details are transmitted to the point of sale server.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a method and system for notifying an administrator when a user of a document processing device requests a change in the configuration of the device. A user accesses the device via a user interface, requesting alteration of the device configuration. The user then provides identification information and an authentication server determines whether the identified user is authorized to make the configuration change. Access is denied to unverified or unauthorized users attempting to change the configuration of the device. When the user is verified, but not authorized to make the requested change, the authentication server rejects the request and notifies the administrator of the attempt. When the user is both verified and authorized to make a change, the device configuration is altered, conforming to the requested configuration, and a notice is transmitted to the administrator containing information about the change in configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated accounting of document reading device usage. The system and method include a configurable accounting agent adapted to automatically generate usage reports of the document generating device and transmit the reports to one or more destinations.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the processes of a document processing peripheral, including unauthorized access thereof. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the processes of a document processing peripheral, detecting any unauthorized processes, operations, or usage levels of the document processing peripheral, and then generating a notification of such unauthorized process.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for tracing and monitoring feature usage in a document processing environment. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for tracking and monitoring the use of features, services, or functions available to users on document processing devices. The usage information is provided to an administrator or other authorized user in a format that is easily readable and usable.

Abstract: This invention is related to a document distribution system, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a document distribution system that reduces network traffic. The present invention is directed to a method and system for distributing a document to at least one destination, comprising the steps of providing a document to be distributed; creating a job by associating the document with at least one printer job language command, wherein the printer job language command provides instructions for the distribution of the job; and distributing, on the basis of the printer job language command, the job to at least one destination.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for optimized routing of print jobs. The system and method comprise queuing print job data, selectively communicating the print job data to at least one of a plurality of associated printer devices so as to generate a printout therefrom, and receiving status data from at least one of the plurality of associated printer devices, which status data includes data representative of a commitment level of the at least one associated printer device relative to dominant print job requests. The system and method also comprise testing the status data against selected test criteria to determine whether at least one alternative associated printer device is desired for printing and selectively redirecting the print job data from a primary designated associated printer device to a secondary associated printer device in accordance with an output of the test means.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for storing print jobs. The system and method comprise acquiring print job data representative of a desired print job, which print job data is comprised of a PDL format associated with a selected printer device and selectively storing the print job data in a selected storage location or cabinet in a storage medium. The system and method further comprises acquiring print status information including data representative of a name associated with the print job data and data representative of a size of the print job data and selectively storing the print status information associatively with the print job data. The system and method also comprises selectively communicating the print job data to generate an image for display in an associated display device and selectively communicating the print job data to the selected printer device to obtain a printout thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for the encryption of image data in a networked environment. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for encrypting documents or data generated via an associated image generating device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for halftone screening. A system for halftone screening includes a memory including a look-up table, the look-up table including screen frequency data representative of the selected screen frequencies for an associated visual output rendering device and tonal level data corresponding to the screen frequency data. The system further includes means adapted for receiving image data representative of a continuous tone image, segmenting means adapted for segmenting received image data into apportioned image data representative of a plurality of image portions, each image portion including a tonal value associated therewith, and means adapted for communicating data representative of each tonal value to the look-up table, whereby corresponding tonal level data is output therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively inserting a digital watermark into a visual rendering by an image processing device. The image processing device receives an image processing request including image data of an associated document. The request is then analyzed to determine if a watermark is to be inserted into a visual rendering of the associated document. When required, the selected watermark is then retrieved from associated memory containing a watermark repository, based upon the image processing request. The visual rendering of the associated document, incorporating the watermark, is then generated.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for storing font image data, which is already rendered, in a history-based order on the server side. This avoids the server side processing time to render the font every time a request is received. This allows users to use many server side fonts that users may not have on their client workstations. In the method, the user uses a web browser to choose a font type, size, and style from a list of available fonts installed on the server. The system then determines if the selected font exists in the font repository. If the font exists, the system retrieves the font images from the font repository. If the font does not exist, the system creates the font images and stores the font images to the font repository.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating document processing transactions wherein the transaction is rejected if the user is not within a selected geographical region. A transaction request is first received representing a request for the completion of a selected transaction associated with a selected user. Preauthorized geographic region data, associated with the selected user, is then received indicating from where the associated user is allowed to request transactions. Location data representing the source of the transaction request is then received and tested against the preauthorized geographic region data. The result of this testing determines whether the requested transaction is authorized.

Abstract: An architecture for universal data communication between a network client and a web server. A web server receives a character string from the network client for storing. The web server encodes and then stores the string. Any character that is not a 7 bit ASCII character is encoded by encapsulating it with an escape code, the escape code comprised of an illegal character. Upon a request to retrieve the encoded string, the web server decodes and converts to UTF8 the encoded character string. When a client or browser requests the folder or document containing the encoded string, the string is properly displayed in the client's or browser's native language.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the job management of document processing wherein job management is divided into a pipeline assembly phase and a job processing phase. The job manager is heavily involved in the pipeline assembly phase. The job processing phase involves only the job processors, which were identified during the pipeline assembly phase. The processors signal the job manager when they start or finish processing of a job. The job manager controls resource consumption by controlling the amount of data in the pipes by parameterizing connector elements. For example, the job manager will preferably input data relating to stapling operations into the pipeline after data relating to collating operations is feed into the pipeline. The job manager assembles partial data or operations into the pipeline in the event that all resources needed are not available.

Abstract: An optical disc has a read-only system lead-in area and a recordable data area. Disc boundary information representing a boundary in a radial direction of an area on which capability of recording at a predetermined recording speed is guaranteed is recorded on the system lead-in area while being related to each tuple speed. An optical disc device, upon user's instruction of tuple-speed recording, compares the boundary information related to the instructed tuple speed with a present recording position, performs recording at the instructed tuple speed if the present recording position is on the outside of the boundary, and performs recording at a tuple speed lower than the instructed tuple speed if the present recording position is on the inside of the boundary.

Abstract: A system and method for accounting for document processing operations. Notification data is received from a networked document processing device, which indicates the presence on the network of the document processing device. Accounting data is then communicated to the networked document processing device in response to the notification data. The accounting data facilitates the administration of costs associated with the usage of the networked document processing device. Cost data is then received from the networked document processing device representing the accumulated costs associated with the usage of the document processing device. The cost data is accumulated according to the received accounting data by the networked document processing device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for halftone screening. A system for halftone screening includes means adapted to receive image data having a desired number of tonal levels representative of a continuous tone image and means adapted to compress the received image data from a desired number of tonal levels to image data having a lesser number of tonal levels. The system further includes a memory including a look-up table, the look-up table including each of the lesser number of tonal levels and an array containing screen frequency data for each of the lesser number of tonal levels. The system still further includes means adapted for communicating the image data containing each of the lesser number of tonal levels to the look-up table, whereby corresponding screen frequency data is output therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing multiple format fonts in an image generating device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and system to store a font in a selected storage area, remove a selected font stored in the selected storage area, and locate a selected font stored in a selected storage area.