Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a plug connector sensing apparatus for determining whether a transmission line is present within a receptacle. A reprographic printing system including this apparatus is disclosed. The method of using this plug sensing apparatus comprises determining, with the plug connector sensor, whether the plug connector is present within the receptacle and determining, with a separate signal detector, whether a signal is being communicated through the transmission line.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for requiring external authorization for a job prior to processing includes determining for a job if external authorization for at least one is item is approved and processing the job if the external authorization for the at least one item is determined to be approved. This method, computer readable medium, and system has better control over who uses a particular device and which operations are enabled by involving an external authorization process outside of the system. Additionally, method, computer readable medium, and system assists in discovering and preventing misuse of the system through the authorization process and by keeping a log of activity.

Abstract: In a digital scanner or other source for sending documents by electronic mail to a client, the size of the document is determined and a calculation is made of how many segments the document must be divided into. If the required number of segments is so large as to present a risk of flooding a network, a warning is displayed to a user. The system is particularly useful in the context of scanning to e-mail full-color images.

Abstract: A multi-functional printing system having a plurality of platforms, where each of the platforms is adapted to perform a selected service. The printing system includes a first platform having a first queue, such as a queue utility for storing a job associated with the first platform, and a second queue, such as a shadow queue, for storing a job associated with a different platform. The system also employs a second platform disposed in communication with the first platform. The second platform has a first queue for storing a job associated with the second platform and a second queue for storing a job associated with a different platform.

Abstract: In an administrative program controlling a plurality of printers and copiers, an administrator is provided with a matrix whereby different billing requirements can be associated with different discrete functions, such as printing, scanning, faxing, and finishing, within a single machine. The administrator is provided with options to control the behavior of the machine when required billing codes are not entered,such as holding image data relating to a requested job in a machine until the required billing codes have been entered.

Abstract: A method for transferring an image disposed on a medium with an image transfer device. The method comprises the steps of providing the image transfer device with a controller and a reader, reading the image on the medium with the reader, and forming with the controller a modified image from the image on the medium. The reader is operably connected to the controller for reading the image on the medium. The controller forms the modified image from the image on the medium in response to registering with the controller that the image on the medium is larger than a predetermined size. The modified image formed with the controller is smaller than the predetermined size.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and for requiring external authorization for a job prior to processing includes determining for a job if external authorization for at least one is item is approved and processing the job if the determining if external authorization is approved determines that the external authorization for the at least one item is approved.

Abstract: Prioritizing a printing system's basic processing resources includes providing a job contention manager (JCM) that adds a first basic job resource to queues of each basic resource which a first video capability requires to perform a first sub-job. The first basic job resources are ready for processing if they are at the top of all of the queues, of all the basic resources, required by the first video capability. The JCM adds a second basic job resource sub-job to queues of each basic resource which a second video capability requires to perform the first sub-job. The second basic job resources, are ready for processing after the first basic job resource, if the first and second basic job resources in the queue are submitted by the same job service and if the second basic job resource is for the same sub-job as the first basic job resource's sub-job.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing the use of multifunctional printing system's basic processing resources for multiple banded image processing. The printing system employs a controller with an improved job contention manager (JCM). A plurality of basic resources of the printing system are provided with a queue. One or more job services, at desired times, signals the JCM to transfer a multiple banded image sub-job of a given job. The signal for each of the bands of the sub-job includes information about the respective sub-job's priority, band number and total band count for the image. Responsive to the signal from the job service the JCM adds a corresponding basic resource sub-job to the queues of each basic resourse which the sub-job will require to perform the sub-job. When the last band of an image has been transferred it is merged into a single image for further processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing the use of multifunctional printing system's basic processing resources. The printing system employs a controller with an improved job contention manager (JCM). A plurality of basic resources of the printing system are provided with a queue. One or more job services, at desired times, signals the JCM to carry out a sub-job of a given job. The signal for each of the sub-jobs includes information about the respective sub-job and its priority. Responsive to the signal from the job service the JCM adds a corresponding basic resource sub-job to the queues of each basic resource which the sub-job will require to perform the sub-job. Each respective sub-job is ready for processing, when it is first in line in all the queues of all the basic resources required to perform the sub-job.

Abstract: In a digital scanner or other source for sending documents by electronic mail to a client, the size of the document is determined and a calculation is made of how many segments the document must be divided into. If the required number of segments is so large as to present a risk of flooding a network, a warning is displayed to a user. The system is particularly useful in the context of scanning to e-mail full-color images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing the use of multifunctional printing system's basic processing resources to allow a high priority job to gain immediate access to a shared resource. The printing system employs a controller with an improved job contention manager (JCM). A plurality of basic resources of the printing system are provided with a queue. One or more job services, at desired times, provides a first signal to the JCM to carry out a sub-job of a given job. The signal for each of the sub-jobs includes information about the respective sub-job and its priority. Responsive to the signal from the job service the JCM adds a corresponding basic resource sub-job to the queues of each basic resource which the added sub-job will require to perform the sub-job. The resources are reassigned by the JCM according to the priority of the added sub-job in the queues.

Abstract: A registration detection system for determining a registration problem in an apparatus having an optical reader adapted to scan a document. The system comprising a test pattern generator and a mixer for combining an output of the test pattern generator with an output of the optical reader.

Abstract: An apparatus that can rotate a sheet 180° or invert the sheet, if required, includes a horizontal cylinder. The apparatus includes a horizontal cylinder. A front image output sheet wraps around the horizontal cylinder (turning counter-clockwise), entering the cylinder from the bottom. The cylinder then rotates 180° with the wrapped sheet. Continued counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinder will now unwrap the sheet from the cylinder and drive it away from the cylinder. In order to accomplish inversion, a deflector is raised in front of the cylinder. A sheet is directed over the top of the cylinder by the deflector as the cylinder turns clockwise. The sheet wraps around the cylinder and thereafter, the cylinder is rotated counter-clockwise resulting in the sheet exiting the cylinder at the bottom after having been inverted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing the use of multifunctional printing system's basic processing resources to multiply active capability job resources for a basic resource under a certain condition. The printing system employs a controller with an improved job contention manager (JCM). A plurality of basic resources of the printing system are provided with a queue. One or more job services, at desired times, signals the JCM to carry out a sub-job of a given job. The signal for each of the sub-jobs includes information about the respective sub-job and its job service and priority. Responsive to the signal, the JCM adds, for a first video capability required by a first sub-job, a corresponding first basic job resource to the queues of each basic resource which the first video capability will require in order to perform the first sub-job.

Abstract: An apparatus that can rotate a sheet 180° or invert the sheet, if required, includes a horizontal cylinder. The apparatus includes a horizontal cylinder. A front image output sheet wraps around the horizontal cylinder (turning counterclockwise), entering the cylinder from the bottom. The cylinder then rotates 180° with the wrapped sheet. Continued counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinder will now unwrap the sheet from the cylinder and drive it away from the cylinder. In order to accomplish inversion, a deflector is raised in front of the cylinder. A sheet is directed over the top of the cylinder by the deflector as the cylinder turns clockwise. The sheet wraps around the cylinder and thereafter, the cylinder is rotated counter-clockwise resulting in the sheet exiting the cylinder at the bottom after having been inverted.

Abstract: A platen cover having a plurality of platen cover surfaces that can be exposed. Each platen cover surface has a different color and/or has a different surface treatment, such as matte, gloss, reflective and the like. The different exposable surfaces are carried on at least one removable platen cover surface that can be detachably attached to the platen cover. To change the exposed surface, the platen cover surface is detached from the platen cover. That platen cover surface can then be rotated to expose a different face of the platen cover surface. Alternately, a different platen cover surface can be installed. In other exemplary embodiments, the platen cover has a plurality of retractable platen cover layers that can be exposed. Each platen cover layer has a different color and/or surface treatment. The quality of many functions that are performed in an image capture device can be improved by using different platen cover colors.

Abstract: An authorization service is provided for use with a multifunctional printing system. The printing machine includes a first document processing service and a second document processing service. The first document processing service includes a first set of one or more document processing operations with each of the first set of one or more document processing operations being performable relatives to the electronic document. The second document processing service includes a second set of one or more document processing operations with each of the second set of one or more document processing operations being performable relative to the electronic document. The system also includes a programmable authorization system that controls a manner in which a first set of users accesses the first set of one or more document processing operations and a second set of users access the second set of one or more document processing operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing the use of multifunctional printing system's basic processing resources to permit job streaming. The printing system employs a controller with an improved job contention manager (JCM). A plurality of basic resources of the printing system are provided with a queue. One or more job services, at desired times, signals the JCM to carry out a sub-job of a given job. The signal for each of the sub-jobs includes information about the respective sub-job's, job service and its priority. Responsive to the signal from the job service the JCM adds a corresponding basic resource sub-job to the queues of each basic resource which the sub-job will require to perform the sub-job. A first of the sub-jobs is placed in an “Active” state ready for processing, if the first sub-job is at the top of all of the queues, of all the basic resources, required to perform the first sub-job.

Abstract: In a digital printing system, such as including one or more printers connected to a host computer via a network, it is occasionally desired to download software for new fonts to the printers. In many cases, different printers support different “font types” or “font formats,” meaning different encoding methods for the font software. The various printers on the network are queried by remotely querying the MIB associated with each printer, to determine what font type is supported by each printer. When the font software is downloaded, where necessary for a particular printer, the original font software is converted to be supportable by the printer.