Abstract: A first printer acquires a first network address from an external server using unicast (non-broadcast) transmissions. Then, second printers and an external computerized device also acquire the first network address from the external server, similarly using unicast transmissions. The second printers contact (e.g., say “hello” to) the first printer using a peer-to-peer network. The external computerized device contacts (again using unicast transmissions) the first printer using the first network address to cause the first printer to transmit a list of the second printers that have contacted the first printer to the external computerized device. The external computerized device then contacts (again using unicast transmissions) the second printers using the list of contacted printers (which includes network address information of the second printers) to allow the external computerized device to configure the second printers.

Abstract: A first printer acquires a first network address from an external server using unicast (non-broadcast) transmissions. Then, second printers and an external computerized device also acquire the first network address from the external server, similarly using unicast transmissions. The second printers contact (e.g., say “hello” to) the first printer using a peer-to-peer network. The external computerized device contacts (again using unicast transmissions) the first printer using the first network address to cause the first printer to transmit a list of the second printers that have contacted the first printer to the external computerized device.

Abstract: In a network-based input scanning system, wherein a sender scanning a hard-copy document at a scanner sends the resulting image data to an electronic mail address, the scanner appends an electronic mail address of the sender in the “From:” space of the electronic mail message. In this way, status messages or other responses to the electronic mail message bearing the image data are directed to the sender's computer, and not only to the scanner itself. The identity of the sender is determined by a network-login step the sender uses to access the scanner.

Abstract: A tab copying system for a duplexing copier with a recirculating duplex document handler (RDH), in which a set of duplex (two sided) original document sheets may be loaded, recirculated, and inverted during circulations for making plural duplex (two sided) copy sheets from both sides, by temporarily storing first side copies in a duplex buffer tray of the copier and feeding them out from the duplex tray for copying the second sides. The disclosed system allows loading simplex (one sided) original documents for making tab copies therefrom (called tabbing originals) intermixed with the duplex document sheets into the RDH in a normal sheet orientation and in the desired order.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a self-adjusting document sensor compensating for degradation of the sensor system. A suitable light source and a detector are provided, the output of the detector being fed into an amplifier whose gain depends upon a feedback signal. Periodically, the output of the amplifier is compared to a reference. If the output of the amplifier falls below the reference, a pulse is sent to a ripple counter whose digital output is fed back to the amplifier to change the gain of the amplifier. If the detector is an unbiased photodiode operating in the transconductance mode, the leakage currents and their subsequent effect on output with amplifier gain changes will be minimized.

Abstract: A high contrast ratio sensor is provided by introducing a pair of photodetectors into the sensor circuitry. One of the detectors is a diffuse detector and the other is either a reflective or transmittance detector. The two photodetectors are connected in a manner to cause the diffuse detector output to subtract from the reflective (or transmissive) detector output. This subtraction of signals provides a high contrast ratio. In a first embodiment, a diffuse detector and a reflectance detector are located on the same side of the paper as the emitter light and in a second embodiment a diffuse detector and a transmittance detector are located on opposite sides of the paper to be sensed.