Abstract: A handheld printer that provides an appropriate application of ink to a print medium without a bulky and complex mechanical system for positioning a print head with respect to the print medium. A handheld printer according to the present teachings includes a navigation subsystem that tracks a motion of the handheld printer with respect to a printing surface and a print head controller that causes a print head to fire ink drops onto the printing surface in response to the motion and in response to an image contained in an image buffer.

Abstract: A multifunction image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a communications module, a scan subsystem, a print subsystem, and a digital signal processor (DSP) block. The communications module is used to communicate with a host computer to send and receive image data files. The scan subsystem is used to scan images. The print subsystem is used to print images. The DSP block includes at least two digital signal processors. The digital signal processors can be programmed to symmetrically multiprocess portions of an image data file to process it more quickly. Alternatively, digital signal processors can be programmed to simultaneously process the image data for the scan subsystem and image data for the print subsystem.

Abstract: A conference phone system includes personal headsets and a base unit. The personal headsets individually capture audios of local participants on a conference call (“local audios”) and transmit the local audios in separate and identifiable channels to the base unit. The base unit receives the local audios and transmits the local audios in separate and identifiable audio streams over a network to a network client. For a remote participant on the conference call, the network client reproduces the local audios and indicates one or more participants who are presently speaking. The network client can also virtualize the local audios so that the remote participant can distinguish the participants by their relative positions, whether virtual or actual. The network client uses the audio source identification information of various participants to enable conference features to mute, enhance, or hold private sidebar conversations.

Abstract: A multi-chip package includes a package substrate. First and second semiconductor die are formed on the package substrate. The first and the second semiconductor die are configured to communicate with each other via a high-speed serial communications protocol.

Abstract: A system comprising a processor and a memory comprising firmware is provided. The firmware is executable by the processor to cause the processor to operate a print mechanism in accordance with a first state associated with a capability of the print mechanism, change the first state associated with the capability to a second state in response to receiving first information from an external interface, and operate the print mechanism in accordance with the second state associated with the capability.

Abstract: A flatbed scanner includes a housing, a transparent platen atop the housing for receiving an object to be scanned, and a carriage operable to travel along a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The carriage includes a light source for illuminating the object and a rectangular photodetector array for simultaneously detecting light intensity of multiple scan lines.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a peripheral device in a plurality of functional modes is disclosed. The device may be part of a computer system including a host computer and the method includes selecting a functional mode of the device. In response to the selection of the functional mode, firmware is transferred to the device, the firmware corresponding to the selected functional mode. The firmware is stored in the device and is executed in the device to operate the device in the selected functional mode. The device may be a printer or other peripheral device having a plurality of functional modes.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated system on a chip that combines wireless, graphics, and multimedia. The graphics and multimedia features may be programmed by the end user while restricting programmability of the wireless features.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a computer peripheral device comprises an interface translator that receives subsystem control instructions from a computer, translates those instructions into an internal format understood by the subsystems of the peripheral device, and passes the instructions to the appropriate subsystem component. The peripheral device requires no processing capabilities. Instead, all of the data processing is performed by a host computer and the host computer's central processing unit (CPU). Appropriate computer peripheral devices for the present invention include printers, scanners, and devices having a combination of functions such as printing, faxing, and copying.

Abstract: A circuit sheet comprising a substrate and wells dispersed on the substrate operable to hold conductive polymers that form circuit devices.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated system on a chip that combines wireless, graphics, and multimedia. The graphics and multimedia features may be programmed by the end user while restricting programmability of the wireless features.