Abstract: An automated document delivery service acquires content from content providers publishing on different schedules and using different URLs to define the path to their web sites. A rule based process of URL generation enables the use of a limited number of resource locator templates and a table of rules to access the web sites and download content of a large number of content providers.

Abstract: A handheld computing and digital image capturing device is physically and electrically integrated. Such a device shares hardware and computing power to provide a versatile item that can be carried with a user to provide the expected computer functions and an image capturing capability. Such a device has the capability of integrating images from the image capturing function into documents created in the handheld computer. Additionally, such an image capturing device can be coupled to an external computer without an intervening cable.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, printing information on a hardcopy medium includes the acceptance of data representing a first information and the acceptance of data representing a second information. Second information is printed in regions on the medium where first information data is not printed. Second information data is encoded into a grayscale or color data representation such that necessary or maximum data density is achieved. First information is printed using black (K) ink (or alternatively using a different color gamut than that used for printing the second information) such that first information can be filtered out in a straightforward manner upon scanning of the printed medium by a digital scanning apparatus, and second information can then be recovered and utilized to advantage.

Abstract: A user of a portable device may request a full-length information set be sent to a high capacity presentation apparatus for printing. A truncated or compressed information set is displayed on the portable device, which the user may select for later printing of the full-length information on the high capacity presentation apparatus when the portable device is synchronized.

Abstract: The complexity of image stitching into a panoramic image is simplified with the use of one or more projectable fiducial marks that ease the establishment of a relationship between adjacent scenes of an image without leaving undesirable fiducial vestiges in the final image. A fiducial generator, having a controllable source of illumination, is positionable to project the fiducial into adjacent and overlapping scenes.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device employs an inkjet printhead with a plurality of drop generators to eject drops of ink. Each drop generator includes a planar heater resistor, comprising three segments. Two of the segments are disposed on either side of the third segment and provide a reduced thermal loss for the third segment. This reduced thermal loss and other features cause a controlled nucleation point to occur over the third segment even though the two segments on either side will create ink vapor bubbles of variable size depending upon the applied energy.

Abstract: In order that an improved communications interface between a human and a computer be provided, the interface to the computer program is directed to accommodate the variabilities of human communication rather than accommodate the rigid structure of syntax, grammar, and semantics normally used in communications with a computer. A computer program human interaction dialog is customized by detecting a need of the computer program to present knowledge to a user in human perceptible form and providing options of grammar and semantics for describing the knowledge. These options of grammar and semantics are presented as a choice to the user. The user's choice is saved for later use when the knowledge itself is presented.

Abstract: In order that sensitive structures of inkjet printing mechanisms be cleaned without damaging these structures, a cleaning sheet and a process of using the sheet has been created. Debris and dried ink is removed from print cartridges and their carriage using a cleaning sheet having two strips of material spaced with a napped surface disposed longitudinally between the side edges and spaced apart from each other. By controlling the distance the strips are spaced from the sheet feed edge of the cleaning sheet, the print cartridges can be placed adjacent the strips for scrubbing against the strips without resulting in a media jam in the printer due to the increased thickness of the cleaning sheet.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device employs an inkjet printhead with a plurality of drop generators to eject drops of ink. Each drop generator includes a planar heater resistor, a protection layer having a first heating surface on the heater resistor and a second heating surface entirely surrounding the first heater surface on the heater resistor, and an ink ejection nozzle. The drop generator vaporizes ink at the first heating surface and ejects a drop of ink of a first mass from the nozzle when a first range of energies is applied to the heater resistor. The drop generator vaporizes ink at the first heating surface and the second heating surface and ejects a drop of ink of a second mass from the nozzle when a second range of energies is applied to the heater resistor.

Abstract: A printhead is formed from a plurality of ink ejectors mounted on an inner surface of a rigid substrate while protruding through holes provided in the substrate. Electrical contact is provided on a surface of the ink ejectors common with the ink ejecting nozzles thereby avoiding vias to another surface. The rigid substrate provides a conducting layer on its inner surface such that the ink ejectors may be connected thereto with solder reflow techniques.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer employs non-circular orifices, such as oval or parallelogram, at the surface of the orifice plate to increase the restoring force of the ink meniscus. The reduced tail and diminished spray of an ink droplet expelled from the non-circular orifice results in improved edge roughness and improved quality of print.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device is arranged to employ a first set of multiple nozzle drop generators activated by a first address signal and a second set of multiple nozzle drop generators activated by a second address signal. The multiple nozzles of each drop generator of the first set are arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern, each of which encompasses at least one nozzle of a drop generator of the second set. The ink ejectors of one drop generator of the first drop generator set are arranged in subgroups, one subgroup of which shares a switched power return with one subgroup of ink ejectors of one drop generator of the second drop generator set.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer employs asymmetric orifices, such as an egg-shaped orifice, at the surface of the orifice plate to cause the ink drop tail to be severed at a predictable location from the orifice. The controlled tail and diminished spray of an ink droplet expelled from the asymmetric orifice results in improved edge roughness and improved quality of print.

Abstract: A printhead is formed from a plurality of ink ejectors mounted on an inner surface of a rigid substrate while protruding through holes provided in the substrate. Electrical contact is provided on a surface of the ink ejectors common with the ink ejecting nozzles thereby avoiding vias to another surface. The rigid substrate provides a conducting layer on its inner surface such that the ink ejectors may be connected thereto with solder reflow techniques.

Abstract: The photoresist barrier layer of an inkjet printer printhead is processed to enable channels narrower than a predetermined width in the barrier layer to be created without blockage. Relatively large volumes of photoresist which form a wall of the channel are exposed to a partial exposure of electromagnetic radiation to yield a reduced concentration of photoresist barrier layer in the large volume.

Abstract: In order to overcome inefficient power dissipation in parasitic resistances and to provide economies in the power supply, a higher resistance value heater resistor is employed in a thermal inkjet printhead. Higher current densities in a high resistance segmented heater resistor are reduced by employing a shorting bar divided by a current balancing resistor.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device employs an inkjet printhead with a plurality of drop generators to eject drops of ink. Each drop generator includes a planar heater resistor, comprising three segments. Two of the segments are disposed on either side of the third segment and provide a reduced thermal loss for the third segment. This reduced thermal loss and other features cause a controlled nucleation point to occur over the third segment even though the two segments on either side will create ink vapor bubbles of variable size depending upon the applied energy.

Abstract: A printhead having reduced spray includes orifi from which ink is expelled by an ink ejector. The orifi employ an aperture at the outer surface of the orifice plate having an asymmetrical hourglass shape to cause the expelled ink drop to break off at the narrow end of the orifice aperture.

Abstract: In order to overcome inefficient power dissipation in parasitic resistances and to provide economies in the power supply, a higher resistance value heater resistor is employed in a thermal inkjet printhead. Higher current densities in a high resistance segmented heater resistor are reduced by employing a shorting bar divided by a current balancing resistor.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing system having a pressure regulator that changes the volume of the ink receptacle as the ink pressure changes relative to the ambient pressure so that the ink remains at a substantially constant pressure for delivery to the print head.