Abstract: A print job is received (e.g., by a print server) that has an associated print destination. A determination is made as to a first location associated with a source of the print job. Another determination is made regarding a second location associated with the print destination. A printing policy associated with the print job is identified. The print job is communicated to the print destination if the print job satisfies the printing policy. The printing policy may determine whether the first location is the same as the second location. Also, the printing policy may determine whether the first and second locations are located in a common facility (such as a hotel) and whether the second location is in a controlled area of the common facility (such as the front desk).

Abstract: A method and system for client-side print job meta-data collection and client billing for gathering print job and a client identifier to be associated with the print job. Print job data may be, for example and not by way of limitation, the number of copies pages, type and/or size of paper and the like. Also, a method and system for converting the print job data and client identifier at a client computer into meta-data for transmission with the print job to a printer. An method and system for performing the print job and extracting the meta-data for billing a client is further included.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses are provided for use with digital cameras. A wireless digital media card is provided for use in a digital camera. The wireless digital media card is configured to replace a conventional digital media card and includes an interface to the digital camera, a transceiver configured to transmit image data over a wireless communication link and logic configured to receive image data from the digital camera via the interface and provide the image data to the transceiver for transmission. The wireless digital media card may also include memory configured to store the image data. A receiving device is configured to store and/or further transfer the image data as needed.

Abstract: A method and/or a system for loading files on a server. An exemplary method communicates an information-containing file from a client to a server, generates an applet based on the information contained in the file, communicates the applet from the server to the client, executes the applet on the client to thereby cause a search for an additional file and communicates the additional file to the server.

Abstract: A request is received to locate a facility, such as a lodging facility, that has a particular computer-related service. The computer-related service may be a printer in a guest room at a hotel or an Internet connection in a guest room. A server identifies at least one facility having the requested computer-related service and communicates the identified facility to a source of the request. When identifying facilities, the server accesses a database containing multiple facilities and a listing of computer-related services associated with each facility. The server can also generate reports identifying reservations resulting from identifying and communicating facility information to the source of the request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing information are provided. A representative method for printing information includes: receiving information corresponding to a user's intent to print a print task; identifying at least one printing device possessing capabilities corresponding to attributes of the print task so that the at least one printing device is able to print the print task optimally compared to at least another unidentified printing device; enabling the user to select from among the at least one printing device identified; and facilitating printing of the print task at the selected printing device to produce a printed document, the printed document exhibiting the attributes of the print task. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A method is described of ensuring audit integrity in a supply chain for services requested by one node from another in a distributed network of computers, such nodes including an e-service provider and a plurality of product suppliers. The method particularly relates to the supply of a product which utilises valuable data for its production, and contains a negotiating phase for negotiating with at least one of the product suppliers for the production of the product and selecting a product supplier to produce and supply the product. In the negotiating phase, there is provision to the product suppliers of data address reference information relating to the location of the valuable data without the supply of the data to any of the product suppliers. The method also includes a production and supply phase in which the selected product supplier produces or arranges to produce the product and to supply the product, and the valuable data is provided in response to a request for the data.

Abstract: In a hotel or short-term office environment, a guest is provided with a connection to a local area network (LAN). A printer, also attached to the LAN, allows the guest to make hard copies of documents. Using a browser, the guest is directed to a web site from which may be downloaded an authentication code to allow access to the printer, and a print driver and a port monitor to allow operation of the printer. Following installation of the downloaded software, any print job sent by the laptop to a print server associated with the printer includes the authentication code. Upon receipt of the authentication code, the print server authenticates the print job, and sends it to the printer located within the hotel room.

Abstract: Information systems for providing information to a user are provided. In this regard, a representative information system includes a location-specific input system that is configured to communicate with a communication network. The location-specific input system also is configured to receive an input from a user, determine a location of the user, and enable information corresponding to the input of the user and the location of the user to be provided to the communication network. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses are provided that allow personal electronic devices to direct/control the selection/printing of data files from a remote server device using a local printing device in a secure manner.

Abstract: An amount of print substance in a printing device as well as an amount of print substance that should be in the printing device are identified. A difference between these amounts is determined and the difference compared to a threshold value. A determination that print substance has been removed from the printing device is made if the difference exceeds the threshold amount.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing network-accessible devices are described. In various embodiments, individual network-accessible devices are configured to wirelessly transmit their network address and any other data that can be used to access the device. Wirelessly-enabled client devices that are unaware of the various devices can receive the transmitted network addresses and thus become knowledgeable of these devices. The network addresses can then permit the wirelessly-enabled client devices to access and use the network-accessible devices. Access to the network-accessible devices can take place via any suitable mechanism such as via a wireless network and/or Internet connection.

Abstract: A method and a system for selecting a printing site for a print job based on a schedule. The schedule includes a printing period linked to an appointment location. A start time for printing is compared with the printing period. If the start time is within the printing period, a printer is selected that corresponds to the appointment location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing the input fidelity of personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other handheld stylus-engagable computing devices are described. In some embodiments, this can be done by associating input commands with different user-input activities, including different combinations of user-input activities. By using different combinations of user-input activities to designate particular input commands, a more robust collection of commands can be provided to a user in a manner that is simple, straight-forward and easy to understand.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing the input fidelity of personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other handheld stylus-engagable computing devices are described. In some embodiments, this can be done by associating input commands with different user-input activities, including different combinations of user-input activities. By using different combinations of user-input activities to designate particular input commands, a more robust collection of commands can be provided to a user in a manner that is simple, straight-forward and easy to understand.

Abstract: A method for locating and recovering network-connected devices includes the steps of: employing one or more discovery techniques to discover devices on the Internet or on an Internet-connected computer network; acquiring identifiers of discovered devices; storing information pertaining to the discovered devices in a discovery database; accessing a database of information pertaining to devices of interest; comparing the identifiers to the database of information to identify devices of interest among the discovered devices; tracing network addresses of the identified devices of interest; and providing information pertaining to the identified devices of interest and/or the discovered devices to a party of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the network addresses of the identified devices of interest are traced through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The party of interest is, for example, a law enforcement agency or a purchaser of market research data.

Abstract: A computing system is configured to identify product attributes, including components, associated with a product and to resolve the attributes to determine licensing dependencies for the product. In another embodiment, the licensing dependencies are resolved with other product attributes to identify a potential license for the product.

Abstract: The invention enables an application program to communicate a message over a network without having information regarding a protocol employed by the network. A network library program, running independently of the application program, stores communication protocol data and procedures for establishing message transport data structures to be used in communicating over the network. Initially, the application program passes an address string to the network library program. In response, the network library program determines a network protocol to be used by analyzing the received address string. The network library program then creates a “transport address” data structure which records both the protocol and the address string. The network library program further establishes a “transport” data structure for the specific message type to be dispatched, which data structure includes a dispatch command and a socket handle to be used during the transmission.

Abstract: The invention enables a tunneling action that allows a remote processor to communicate with a local processor when the remote processor is coupled to the local processor via a reverse proxy device, a computer network, a firewall and a proxy agent device. Initially, the local processor establishes a communication channel with the remote processor by dispatching a local request message to the proxy agent device. The proxy agent device dispatches the local request message via the firewall and network to the reverse proxy device, thus enabling the firewall to receive a remote response message to the local request message. Thereafter, the remote processor issues a remote request message to the reverse proxy device, which in turn dispatches a remote response message with the remote request message contained therein, to the firewall.

Abstract: A computer-controlled display provides a two dimensional simulation of a three dimensional scene while providing for relatively low computing load. Data which is used in determining scaling of figures placed against a background scene and/or used to determine, pixel by pixel, relative occlusion of a figure with respect to features of a scene (or other figures) are largely precalculated and stored so that little or no calculation of these three dimensional characteristics needs to be performed on the fly.