Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image on a large surface area or walkway provides for imagewise marking of the surface with a color marking solution, to form a visible image on the surface during an image recording mode of a marking engine. A vehicle supports the marking engine and includes a drive that engages the surface at plural locations and moves the marking engine relative to the surface. The marking engine is located outboard of an area defined by lines connecting the plural locations so that during operation of the marking engine during the image recording mode the drive does not engage areas of the surface that have been previously imagewise marked.

Abstract: A kit for repositioning an image product on a mounting support. The kit comprises an image product having a back surface, with an adhesive layer, and a mounting support having a mounting surface for mating with the back surface of the image product so as to secure the image product to the mounting support. The adhesive layer enables both repeated positioning and also permanent mounting of the image product to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A method of printing a multi-color composition having a relatively large background area with a prevailing color and different color smaller objects superimposed on the relatively large background area, comprises: uniformly applying a colored substance that is not a printing ink, and has the same color as the prevailing color of the relatively large background area, on a particular surface; and printing the smaller objects on the particular surface, using different color printing inks.

Abstract: A method of providing an image on a media having a image-receiving layer and a protective overlayer, comprising the steps of providing an image on said image-receiving and providing machine-readable indicia on said protective overlayer by varying the temperature of a thermal head used to apply said protective overlayer.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A method of ordering prints of digital photographs stored online comprises storing the digital photographs in an online album (34). The album owner (12) enters their credit card information (38) online. The album owner transmits an Internet link (26) to at least one viewer (37) and notifies at least one viewer that photographic prints (30) ordered from the online album (34) have been prepaid.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated scrapbook page including providing a filler sheet which is adapted to be folded and laminated to provide the scrapbook page, providing one or more visual images on at least one medium, providing indicia associated with the filler sheet to be able to receive the visual image(s), folding such indicia provided filler sheet, laminating the indicia provided folded filler sheet and mounting the visual images in such indicia of the filler sheet to provide the page of the scrapbook, and laminating the scrapbook page formed in step d).

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A method of digitizing an image using a portable imaging system to produce an image product. The method comprises the steps of: a service provider transporting the portable imaging system from a first location to a second location; the service provider receiving the image to be digitized from a user at the second location; the service provider scanning the image at the second location using the portable imaging system to produce a digital image; the service provider receiving an order request associated with the digital image from the user; and the service provider providing the digital image to a fulfiller for fulfillment of the order request.

Abstract: A method of producing a matted image which is usable in a scrapbook. The method comprises the steps of displaying a digital image having a mat area; displaying a plurality of color selections from which a user can select at least one of the plurality of color selections; automatically applying the at least one selected color selection to the mat area to generate a colored mat; and displaying the matted image comprised of the digital image and the colored mat. In a preferred embodiment, the color selections are comprised of colors disposed in the digital image.

Abstract: A removable cartridge with sheets that are to be removed from the cartridge and used by an apparatus comprising a housing for containing the sheets which are to be sequentially used by the apparatus when the cartridge is inserted into the apparatus, means provided in the housing for permitting sheets to be fed by the apparatus from the cartridge, a display provided on the housing which is viewable by a user when the cartridge is removed from the apparatus to indicate the number of sheets remaining in the cartridge. The display comprises a plurality of selectable digit elements each of which corresponds to a particular number, each selectable digit element containing cholesteric liquid crystals when selectively activated indicate a number that corresponds to the number of sheets remaining in the cartridge, and provide a measurable parameter.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated scrapbook page including providing a filler sheet which is adapted to be folded and laminated to provide the scrapbook page, providing one or more visual images on at least one medium, providing indicia associated with the filler sheet to be able to receive the visual image(s), folding such indicia provided filler sheet, laminating the indicia provided folded filler sheet and mounting the visual images in such indicia of the filler sheet to provide the page of the scrapbook, and laminating the scrapbook page formed in step d).

Abstract: A method of arranging a series of at least two visual images of different characteristics of the same image and fixing them to a page which is usable in a scrapbook, includes using a digital image to produce a series of digital images of different characteristics; forming visual images of the series of different characteristics of images on a medium; cutting out the series of different characteristics of visual images from the medium; and fixing the cut out different visual images on the page which can be used in a scrapbook.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an imaging member for forming a latent image on a photosensitive medium and a pressure assembly for applying pressure to the photosensitive medium and develop images on the medium. The photosensitive medium comprises a plurality of microcapules which encapsulate imaging material such as coloring material. In a feature of the invention, a controller is responsive to sensed ambient conditions to control the amount of pressure applied to the medium and thereby control the amount of crushing force applied to the microcapsules. In a further feature, a flexible pressure strip is provided between a crushing roller of the pressure assembly and the media to prevent a marking of the media.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A removable cartridge with sheets that are to be removed from the cartridge and used by an apparatus comprising a housing for containing the sheets which are to be sequentially used by the apparatus when the cartridge is inserted into the apparatus, means provided in the housing for permitting sheets to be fed by the apparatus from the cartridge, a display provided on the housing which is viewable by a user when the cartridge is removed from the apparatus to indicate the number of sheets remaining in the cartridge. The display comprises a plurality of selectable digit elements each of which corresponds to a particular number, each selectable digit element containing cholesteric liquid crystals when selectively activated indicate a number that corresponds to the number of sheets remaining in the cartridge, and provide a measurable parameter.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: A photosensitive media cartridge includes an ambient condition sensor mounted in the cartridge for sensing ambient conditions in the cartridge. When the cartridge is positioned at a media transfer position on an image-forming device that permits the conveyance of media from the cartridge to the image-forming device, image development or printing on the media in the image-forming device is controlled based on the sensed ambient conditions in the cartridge. The ambient condition sensor includes a cover layer and a conductive layer, wherein a rate of response to ambient conditions of the cover layer matches rate of response to ambient conditions of the photosensitive media to be developed. As a further option, the media itself can include a conductive layer so that the media can be the sensor.

Abstract: An imaging assembly includes a media cartridge for holding a stack of media therein. The media cartridge includes a linkage assembly at least a portion of which is made of a material that is responsive to ambient conditions within the cartridge. An image forming device of the imaging assembly is adapted to control a development of images on the photosensitive media based on the sensed ambient conditions.