Abstract: A finite state data structure includes paths that represent pairs of strings, with a first string that is a string of tag combinations and a second string that is a string of tags for tokens in a language. The second strings of a set of paths with the same first string include only highly probable strings of tags for the first string. The data structure can be an FST or a bimachine, and can be used for mapping strings of tag combinations to strings of tags. The tags can, for example, indicate parts of speech of words, and the tag combinations can be ambiguity classes or, in a bimachine, reduced ambiguity classes. An FST can be obtained by approximating a Hidden Markov Model. A bimachine can include left-to-right and right-to-left sequential FSTs obtained based on frequencies of tokens in a training corpus.

Abstract: A print head for a liquid ink printer deposits liquid ink droplets on a recording medium. A curved infrared foil heater is disposed adjacent to the recording medium path opposite the print head, for heating the recording medium to dry the liquid ink droplets. The foil heater is an infrared emitting, etched foil circuit heater mounted within a channel in a frame to curve and thus self-tension to prevent wrinkling of the foil heater despite any thermal expansion of the foil heater.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow a user to perform localized searching from a standard web browser. In particular, the systems and methods of this invention use a two-prong approach to accomplish both a dynamic breadth-first crawl search and a contextualize index search to generate search results. The search results are then assembled in a unified results page and displayed to a user.

Abstract: Transfer members useful in electrostatographic reproducing apparatus, including digital, image-on-image and contact electrostatic printing apparatus. The transfer members feature a substrate comprising a nanosize polymer material and can be used as transfer members, transfuse, transfix members, or transport members.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting robust fade and dissolve and video sequences. The systems and methods use a two step approach to detect both discontinuous cuts and gradual changes in a video sequence. Specifically, an input video signal is first divided into video segments based on the location of the discontinuous cut. A gradual change detector is then applied to the discontinuous cut segments to determine further cuts based on editing characteristics. By using this two part approach, the systems and methods of this invention can robustly detect scene breaks within a video.

Abstract: A PC board actuator that emulates a muscle fiber includes a first pressure source, a second pressure source lower than the first source, at least one expansion chamber alternately communicating with the first and second pressure sources, first and second valves mounted with the PC board that opens and closes the chamber with respect to the first and second pressure sources, and an actuator member interacting with the expansion chamber to apply a force to the object. The actuator is preferably formed using planar batch technology and the valves preferably comprise electrically controllable flap valves mounted on the PC board. Alternatively, the actuator includes antagonistically arranged expansion chambers that operatively apply reciprocating forces to the object. In other embodiments, the actuator includes plural expansion chambers arranged in series or in parallel in order to increase the overall extent of attainable displacement or to amplify the force generated by the actuator.

Abstract: A single component development system of an image forming system includes a movable charge-metering member. The development system includes a motion-imparting system in cooperation with the charge-metering member for periodically shifting the charge-metering member to expose a fresh surface for charging and metering toner on a developer member. The motion-imparting system is indexed to expose a fresh surface for charging and metering of toner particles by rotating, shifting or translating the charge-metering member.

Abstract: A digital input scanner suitable for copying bound documents. The scanner comprises a scanner base portion, and a bound document support assembly attached to a top of the scanner base portion. The support assembly includes a generally horizontal top platen support surface and a plurality of exterior side surfaces. A digital scanning assembly is supported within at least a portion of the scanner base portion for acquiring an image of a portion of the bound document, and for generating an output digital signal representative of the acquired document face. The scanner components are arranged such that one of the exterior side surfaces of the support assembly has a canted surface, and the canted side surface and the top platen support surface form an oblique angle therebetween. The side surface and top surface are positioned to support opposing faces of the bound document during use.

Abstract: An external heating source for a fuser member used in an image forming system includes a substrate and a ceramic-containing coating. The surface of the fuser member is heated with thermal radiation generated by an external heating source located near the surface of the fuser member. Heat is generated by a resistive radiator on the surface of the external heating source which includes a ceramic-containing material having a high resistance, such as a transition metal oxide. The external heating source can further include at least one temperature sensor for achieving and maintaining a desired temperature on the surface of the fuser member. A method of manufacturing the external heating source is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a ductwork network system is disclosed. An image forming system is provided having a ductwork network cleaning system for passing a fluid and particulate matter therethrough. There is included at least one fluid regulating element, which is coupled to the ductwork network and to a subsystem of the image forming system. The fluid regulating element regulates fluid flow through the ductwork network. Also provided is a fluid displacement device, which is in fluid communication with the ductwork network. The fluid displacement device displaces fluid within the ductwork network. Most commonly, the fluid contained within the image forming system is air.

Abstract: A belt drive module and a corresponding method includes or employs a belt that moves along a path, at least one support roller or other structure that supports the belt as it moves along the path, a drive roller that effects movement of the belt along the path, a tension roller that applies a tension force to the belt in order to maintain engagement of the belt with the drive and/or support rollers, at least one processing station (e.g., an image processing station) disposed along the path that performs a process relative to a predetermined position of the belt, and a torque assist drive that applies a torque assist force Td at a location between the drive roller and the tension roller. Torque assist may be provided by a current limited DC motor or by a constant torque friction clutch applied to a roller, e.g., a stripper roller of an electrophotographic imaging system. Advantageously, the torque assist force Td facilitates accurate positioning of the belt (e.g.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes an ink reservoir having an fluid inlet for receiving ink, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A channel plate structure that is etched from silicon defines a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the reservoir for directing ink from the reservoir. Support structure is provided near the top portion of the reservoir and extending within the reservoir. The support structure is formed to divide the reservoir into at least a pair of reservoir regions and to provide support to the channel plate structure while permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow to all of the channels at the bottom portion of the reservoir. In addition to forming printheads for ink jet printers, the invention may be applied to other microchannel fluidic devices.

Abstract: An improvement for use in a fine particle delivery system that separates particulate material according to particle size, such as a toner screener used in an electrophotographic imaging machine. The fine particle delivery system includes an intake duct that receives particulate material, a screen that filters the materials as the particles move or rotate about the screen, and a pair of opposed ultrasonic transducer assemblies that excite the screen to dislodge particulate material adhering to the screen mesh. Each transducer assembly includes a transducer, a rigid metallic membrane coupled to transducer to efficiently deliver ultrasonic waves to the screen, and a mounting mechanism that supports the transducer assembly. A channel embedded with the mounting mechanism protects electrical wiring the powers the transducer from a potentially explosive environment of particulate material during screening operations.

Abstract: A wear resistant composite member such as a fuser roll or a pressure roll and a fuser system using the same. The fuser roll and/or the pressure roll comprises a core, a first layer, an optional second layer, and a surface layer wherein at least the first layer or optional second layer comprises a fluorocarbon polymer having ceramic-based particles substantially homogeneously distributed throughout the polymer and protruding from the surface of the polymer layer.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of an unsymmetrical perylene of the formula wherein each R1 and R2 are dissimilar and wherein the R1 and R2 are hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, and substituted aralkyl, and X represents a symmetrical bridging component, and y represents the number of X components.

Abstract: A toner comprised of resin, colorant and a coated silica, and wherein said silica has a primary particle size of about 25 nanometers to about 55 nanometers, and an aggregate size of about 225 nanometers to about 400 nanometers, and said coating is comprised of a mixture of an alkylsilane and an aminoalkylsilane.

Abstract: A method for inputting information to a revolvable device, optionally connected to a deformable piece includes the steps of rotating, spinning, or revolvably orienting the deformable piece to provide a first morpheme input to the device. The first morpheme input normally triggers a first default action by the device, such as controlling a display, modifying a data structure, or communicating with another electronic device. When a user asynchronously manipulates the deformable piece to provide a second morpheme input to the device, the second morpheme input converts the normally triggered first default action to a second action generally not equivalent to the first default action. This mode of interaction allows formation of morphemic sentences to control a graspable device.