Abstract: An apparatus for directing media sheets from a media tray to a feed roller may be coupled to a feeder module. The apparatus includes a support member, a coupler, and a media director. The support member extends across a portion of a media tray width. The coupler extends from the support member and is configured to engage a feeder module to install the support member in a printer. The media director extends from the support member, and is configured to direct a leading edge of a media sheet moving from the media tray towards a feeder nip in the feeder module. The media director is vertically displaced from the support member and the coupler.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a modular printing system with one or more modules having one or more bypass paths and comprise a modular printing system with a module (e.g., a stacker or feeder module) having a main compartment and at least one additional compartment. Contained within the main compartment is a main sheet transport path and a functional component (e.g., a sheet stacking device or a sheet feeding device) connected to the main sheet transport path. Contained with the additional compartment is a bypass path. The bypass path allows sheets to be routed through the module in the event of a print media sheet jam in the main sheet transport path. Because the bypass path is contained within a separate compartment, the jam can be cleared from the main compartment without cycling down the printing system, thereby allowing for continued productivity.

Abstract: A process for making a resin emulsion suitable for use in forming toner particles is provided. In embodiments, a suitable process includes melt mixing a resin in the absence of an organic solvent, optionally adding a surfactant to the resin, adding to the resin a basic agent and water, and subjecting the resin, basic agent and water to acoustic mixing at a suitable frequency to form an emulsion of resin particles. In embodiments, the resin emulsion thus produced may be utilized to form a toner.

Abstract: A method and system including a plurality of multifunctional devices being operatively associated with at least one controller and each having a preset amount of preloaded consumables at a time of initial use; and a software application for enabling at least one user to access the plurality of multifunctional devices, the software application being configured to receive information from a prepaid card, the information including a financial value relating to usage of some of the preset amount of preloaded consumables in the plurality of multifunctional devices; wherein the financial value of the prepaid card is applied by the at least one user across the plurality of multifunctional devices in any desired uniform or non-uniform financial proportions in accordance with usage determinations; and wherein the at least one user is enabled to pay for access to the plurality of multifunctional devices in time staggered installments without pre-established contractual obligations.

Abstract: A system is utilized to view and configure one or more print job scenarios within a print system. A preference module allows a user to select one or more preferences related to a print job in view of a job set and one or more limitations related to hardware within the print system. A rules component creates one or more rules for use within the print system to output a hard copy based at least in part upon the preferences selected via the preference module. A scheduler receives one or more rules from the rules component and configures the print system to execute the print job according to the preferences and/or the rules. A visualizer displays a scenario associated with each print system configuration, wherein the preferences and the rules can be edited to create one or more scenarios for execution of the print job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a determination unit that determines whether or not color materials for image data, more than a predetermined number of color materials, are used for a rim portion of a recording medium to which an image is to be outputted; and a controller that, in correspondence with a result of determination by the determination unit, performs control so as to change the number of color materials used for at least the rim portion of the recording medium to which the image is outputted, to a predetermined or smaller number of color materials, and form the image on the recording medium.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining which hole punch die is installed on a multifunction document reproduction device. A document scanner of a document reproduction system is used to scan a sample page that has been hole-punched by the presently installed punch die. The pattern of die holes on the punched test page is examined and compared to known punch die patterns. The method compares the current punch unit with bindings loaded in a hopper for the print/copy job. Information about the currently installed hole punch die is displayed on a graphical user interface so the user can confirm the print/copy job prior to the time of submission. The user can then accept the current hole punch configuration or change the unit to another before releasing their print/copy job. The method ensures that the selected punch pattern is compatible with other print/copy job finishing selections.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing subassembly includes a diaphragm arranged to be operated on by a transducer, an aperture array through which fluid is forced onto a substrate, a manifold body between the diaphragm and the aperture array, a spacer between the manifold body and the aperture array, the spacer arranged to form a gap at least partially overlapping the manifold, and a compliant film arranged between the manifold body and the spacer such that the fluid resides on a side of the film adjacent the manifold, and that the film is unsupported by the spacer over a least a portion of the manifold.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the automated selection of sample documents or pages from a large collection, and more particularly an application of the method in a proof presentment environment—where the method is employed for selection and review of representative or extreme pages from a large document, such as one scheduled for printing. The method characterizes pages or documents in a multi-dimensional vector space based upon a set of characteristics, and then uses clustering techniques to group the pages, enabling the selection of typical pages from the groups, outlier pages from extremes lying outside of the groups, or both typical and outlier pages.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for rendering tints of spot color objects or target colors between a spot color and a second color in image forming devices. In particular the systems and method provided allow for a sweep of a spot color to be rendered accurately, without discontinuities when transitioning from the tint to the solid spot color. The systems and method will prevent discontinuities even if the solid spot color has been modified by a user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and a method for pruning a library of bi-phrases, suitable for use in a machine translation system are provided. The method includes partitioning a bi-phrase library into a set of sub-libraries. The sub-libraries may be of different complexity such that, when pruning bi-phrases from the plurality of sub-libraries is based on a common noise threshold, a complexity of bi-phrases is taken into account in pruning the bi-phrases.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for a plurality of direct mail printing jobs from a user and automatically groups the multiple direct mail printing jobs into at least one campaign, using a computerized or processor-based machine. The machine automatically creates a plurality of workflows related to direct mail printing jobs within a campaign and transmits requests for bids on these job activities to entities (e.g., supply vendors) to allow the entities to bid on performing the job activities. The machine automatically selects winning bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and combines the bids to provide cost and completion estimates for each of the workflows. The machine automatically combines estimates for the workflows to produce an overall estimate for the campaign. The overall estimate for the campaign is output to the user for review and approval.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed generally to an improved electrostatographic imaging member incorporating specific anti-oxidants into the charge transport layer to achieve substantially reduced lateral charge migration. The imaging members having such an charge transport layer can include charge transport molecules such as N,N,N,?N?-tetra(4-methylphenyl)-(1,1?-biphenyl)-4,4?-diamine without increased sensitivity to corona-induced lateral charge migration.

Abstract: An inventory management system for forecasting demand in a print production environment may include a computing device and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for updating a predictive model with intervention information comprising an anticipated demand value and a confidence value associated with the anticipated demand value. The predictive model may be associated with a demand distribution of a print-related service.

Abstract: A process for making toner particles is provided. In embodiments, a suitable process includes melt mixing a resin in the absence of an organic solvent, optionally adding a surfactant to the resin, adding to the resin at least one colorant and other optional toner additives, adding to the resin a basic agent and water to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to acoustic mixing at a suitable frequency to form to form an emulsion. A phase inversion may then be performed to create a phase inversed emulsion including a disperse phase comprising molten resin and the optional ingredients of the toner composition, at which time toner-sized droplets may be solidified from the disperse phase into toner particles, which can be recovered for use.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a developer container and a hole connection member. The developing device is provided so as to be movable in a direction in which it comes close to and goes away from the image carrier. And, the developing device develops a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image. The hole connection member is supported so as to be movable relative to an inlet of the developing device in the movable direction of the developing device and connects the inlet and an outlet of the developer container.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device including: a passive core layer in which is formed an optical circuit having a refractive index n2; an active core layer covering at least a portion of the optical circuit, exhibiting an electro-optical effect, and having a refractive index of n1 higher than n2; a lower clad layer over which the passive core layer is formed and having a refractive index n3 lower than n2; an upper clad layer covering the active and passive core layers and having a refractive index n5 lower than n1; a lower electrode disposed below the lower clad layer; and an upper electrode disposed on the upper clad layer, in which the entrance and exit portions of the active core layer are tapered, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for automating quality assurance for one or more documents, including a repository configured for electronically storing a plurality of forms; a computing subsystem for: accessing at least one of the plurality of forms, and selectively encoding the at least one of the plurality of forms with at least one electronic mark to obtain at least one encoded document with the at least one electronic mark; a document processing subsystem for: both scanning a print corresponding with the at least one encoded document and detecting the at least one electronic mark, and for: (a) generating a first bitmap from the at least one encoded document, (b) using the at least one electronic mark to generate a second bitmap from a form related document retrieved from the form repository, and (c) comparing the first and second bitmaps to determine if the first and second bitmaps substantially match.

Abstract: A system and related method for selectively controlling use of functionality in one or more multifunction devices includes a communications interface in operative communication with a printer and/or a display apparatus. The communications interfaces electronically communicates data with the printer and/or the display apparatus. The data includes a data structure configured to present an advertisement. The data may be print data or image data. The communications interface is operatively associated with an advertisement-credit component which can generate a credit value corresponding to the advertisement. The advertisement-credit component can subsidize multi-function device costs based upon a presented advertisement, e.g., the cost of printing, scanning, faxing, and related consumables including inks, toners and/or papers. The advertisement credit component authorizes use of a predetermined amount of a function with the credit value that corresponds to the advertisement.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more tapered nozzles each with an associated taper angle and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the tapered nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The tapered nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the taper angle can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.