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: A portable device with an audible alarm has an audible mode and a silent mode. A silent zone mechanism according to the invention automatically changes the mode of the alarm as the portable device enters or exits a silent zone. Upon entering a silent zone, the silent zone mechanism according to the invention automatically determines that the portable device has entered a silent zone. The silent zone mechanism according to the invention then automatically changes the mode of the alarm to the silent mode. Upon exiting a silent zone, the silent zone mechanism according to the invention automatically determines that the portable device has exited a silent zone. The silent zone mechanism according to the invention then automatically changes the mode of the alarm to the audible mode.

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

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.