Abstract: A beam splitter includes a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are linearly offset from one another along an axis. The first and second surfaces are positioned to receive an optical beam projected in a first direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis. The first surface is configured to redirect a first portion of the optical beam in a second direction that has a first rotational offset with respect to the first direction and a second rotational offset with respect to the axis. The second surface is configured to redirect a second portion of the optical beam in a third direction that has a third rotational offset with respect to the first direction and a fourth rotational offset with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A video collaboration method includes examining a video image to locate therein a strip segment containing desired facial features of a second collaborator. The method also includes causing a display of the strip segment in a second frame positioned above a first frame for communicating shared collaboration content on a display device positioned for a first collaborator.

Abstract: A method for cloning hand drawn images includes identifying, within an environment, a position of a wand with respect to each of a first plurality of user selected physical points. A virtual plane identified by the first plurality of points is defined. The virtual plane corresponds to a first marking surface. An electronic page is associated with the first virtual plane. A motion of the wand is tracked. The motion corresponds to a use of the wand to draw a first mark on the first marking surface. A path traced across the first virtual plane is identified. The path is defined by the tracked motion. The electronic page is updated to include a digital image representative of the path. The digital image is a clone of the mark.

Abstract: A selective job aggregation method includes identifying a predetermined usage match between a first consumable component and a second consumable component of printer device. Print jobs are then selectively aggregated to encourage expiration of a first expected useful life of the first consumable component to occur with expiration of a second expected useful life of the second consumable component.

Abstract: Authorizing access to a network resource utilizing an autonomous authorization service. One method embodying the invention includes receiving a request to access a resource and acquiring credentials, identifying an authorization service that is autonomous of the resource, providing the credentials to the authorization service and requesting authorization to access the resource. The authorization service authenticates the credentials and authorizes access the resource only if the credentials are authentic.

Abstract: A method for configuring devices on a computer network. Configuration involves initiating a configuration session on a primary device causing the primary device to collect configuration session on a primary device causing the primary device to collect configuration logic for the primary device and one or more secondary devices. The primary device then generates a user interface having user accessible controls for selecting and returning configuration settings for the primary and secondary devices. Each selected configuration setting is then returned and applied to the primary or secondary device for which it is selected.

Abstract: Selecting a digital image. A method embodiment includes obtaining a first digital image of the first side of a physical object and obtaining a second digital image of a second side of the physical object. The first digital image is examined to determine if it is substantially blank. If the first digital image is determined to be blank, the second digital image is sent for processing. Otherwise, the first digital image is sent for processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for advancing a media sheet are shown and described in which a media sheet is urged along a media path toward a first position and a second position. The second position is downstream from the first position along the media path. As a leading edge of the media sheet reaches the first position, the leading edge is prevented from passing the first position for an initial time period while the media sheet is being urged along the media path. As the leading edge reaches the second position, the leading edge is prevented from passing the second position for a subsequent time period while the media sheet is being urged along the media path.

Abstract: Vending network resources. A method embodiment includes automatically identifying a network resource supplied by a network device. Interface controls for selecting the network resource are then presented, and a multilevel identifier is associated with data identifying an installation file for the network resource.