Abstract: A system and method for determining a quantitative measure of search efficiency of related Web pages. An information goal is specified. A target Web page is identified within a plurality of Web pages. The information goal is searched via a search function in the Web pages to identify potential Web pages that include at least one hyperlink referencing and proximal cues relating to distal content included in another potential Web page. An activation network is formed. A directed graph is built, including nodes corresponding to the potential Web pages and arcs corresponding to the hyperlinks. A weight is assigned to each arc to represent a probability of traversal of the corresponding hyperlink based on a relatedness of keywords in the information goal to the proximal cues. A traversal through the activation network to the node corresponding to the target Web page is evaluated as a quantitative measure of search efficiency.

Abstract: A customer satisfaction system, includes a query module for automatically sending queries to customers as to problems with goods or services provided by a provider according to a predetermined schedule and for receiving responses from customers to the queries; an analysis module for analyzing responses from customers and for sending responses indicating a problem to a problem solver for resolution; and at least one problem solver for responding to customer problems, for generating solutions to customer problems and for transmitting solutions to customers; wherein, upon transmission of a solution to a customer problem to a customer, the query module sends a query to the customer requesting verification that the problem has been solved.

Abstract: Portable handheld transceiver-enabled devices (e.g., PDA or cell phone) and an enterprise system that stores and maintains a digital map and database to enable customers using the portable devices within a store to access information about the location of products in the store and their availability. Several fixed transceivers are installed throughout a store and portable transceiver-enabled handheld devices used by customers within the store communicate within the store. Portable handheld transceiver-enabled devices communicate with fixed transceivers and download the locations and available quantities of desired product. Customers can use portable devices to obtain the shortest walking route within a store to obtain a desired product based on fixed transceiver proximity to portable devices. Customer can also search the store database for the exact location of items within a store using the portable devices.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition includes an ink vehicle and at least one pigment, wherein the ink composition is substantially solid at room temperature and includes at least one dispersant for the at least pigment and at least one synergist.

Abstract: A heating device includes a magnetic field generating unit, and a heat generating body having a heat generating layer generating heat due to electromagnetic induction, and a temperature-sensitive layer. The heat generating layer is disposed opposing the magnetic field generating unit. The temperature-sensitive layer has a Curie temperature greater than or equal to a set temperature of the heat generating layer and less than or equal to a heat-resistant temperature of the heat generating layer, and is disposed at a side of heat generating layer opposite a side where the magnetic field generating unit is disposed such that heat from the heat generating layer is conducted. At temperatures lower than the Curie temperature, the temperature-sensitive layer causes the magnetic field to penetrate in from the heat generating layer, and at temperatures greater than or equal to the Curie temperature, causes magnetic flux of the magnetic field to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Liquid delivery systems, fuser assemblies, printing apparatuses and methods of delivering release agents to fusing imaging surfaces are disclosed. An embodiment of the liquid supply systems for delivering a liquid to a fusing imaging surface of a fusing member includes a first roll having a first outer surface adapted to contact a liquid contained in a sump; a first shim adapted to contact the first outer surface and the liquid in the sump; a second roll having a second outer surface adapted to contact the liquid in the sump, the first and second rolls contacting each other at an interface; and a second shim adapted to contact the second outer surface and the liquid in the sump. At least one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface is comprised of a compressible material which is compressed along the interface.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer; and wherein the photogenerating layer is comprised of at least one photogenerating pigment and a resin binder that is substantially insoluble in an alkylene halide like methylene chloride.

Abstract: Signals from a color (multi-row) full width array sensor are used to detect and correct for motion quality issues in a constant velocity transport or platen document scanner. This capitalizes on the geometry of the full width array sensor, in which three or four rows of photo sites are arranged in the slow scan direction. For example, the arrival time of an image edge of the red sensor row may be compared to the slightly later arrival time at the blue sensor row, and the difference yields the velocity. The velocity can then be fed back to control the transport.

Abstract: A resin particle dispersion liquid comprises: resin particles comprising polyester having terminal carboxyl groups, the polyester being obtained by polycondensation of a polycondensable monomer, wherein the polyester has the terminal carboxyl groups that are partially neutralized to form carboxyl anions, the resin particles in the resin particle dispersion liquid having a value of (da/(da+dc)) of from approximately 0.30 to approximately 0.90, when in an absorption spectrum of the resin particles measured with an infrared spectrometer, dc represents a peak intensity of the terminal carboxyl group in a range of from 1,780 to 1,680 cm?1, and da represents a peak intensity of the neutralized carboxyl anion in a range of from 1,670 to 1,550 cm?1, the polyester has an acid value of approximately 1 mg·KOH/g or more and less than approximately 15 mg·KOH/g before neutralization, the resin particles dispersion liquid comprises a divalent or higher organic acid in an amount of from approximately 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transporting device that includes: a transport unit that transports a document placed on a document tray; a detector that detects the width of the document placed on the document tray; a controller that controls the transport unit to transport the document when the width of the document detected by the detector is a predetermined definite size, and prohibits the transport unit from transporting the document when the width of the document detected by the detector is a predetermined size that is different from the definite size; and a cancellation unit that cancels the prohibition on the document transportation imposed by the controller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a prediction unit, an inquiry unit and a request unit. The inquiry unit judges whether or not the prediction unit deals with a type of a consumable item used in image formation processing. The request unit transmits use history information to a consumable item management apparatus and requests the consumable item management apparatus to predict a remaining usable period of the consumable item when the inquiry unit judges the prediction unit does not deal with the type of the consumable item in the image formation processing. The use history information indicates a use history of the consumable item. The prediction unit predicts the remaining usable period of the consumable item using the use history information in the image formation processing when the inquiry unit judges the first prediction unit deals with the type of the consumable item used in image formation processing.

Abstract: Processes for producing organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles are disclosed. The processes comprise: (a) forming a solution comprising an organic solvent and a first amount of organoamine; (b) adding silver salt particles to the solution; (c) adding a second amount of organoamine to the solution; (d) adding an organohydrazine to the solution; and (e) reacting the solution to form organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate eliminating a need for a raster output scanner (ROS) or laser when generating a latent image on a photoreceptor. An addressable backplane is employed, comprising an array of field effect transistors (e.g., silicon or organic thin film transistors, or TFTs), wherein each TFT corresponds to a single pixel on a charge transport layer on the photoreceptor surface. Latent image formation is performed by forming a surface potential using corona charging, and then directing free charge carriers toward the photoreceptor surface to reduce electrostatic potential in areas that need to be toned. TFTs in the array are individually addressed, or selected, to connect to a common ground, which allows photodischarge to occur only in selected areas (e.g., pixels associated with the selected TFTs).

Abstract: A set value output circuit includes a first output unit and a second output unit. The first output unit outputs a signal input to a first input when a first timing signal is input to a second input, and continues to output the signal until a next first timing signal is input. The second output unit outputs the signal input to a third input when the second timing signal is input to a fourth input, and continues to output the signal until a next second timing signal is input. A selection unit inputs a selected timing signal as the second timing signal to the fourth input. A control unit inputs the first timing signal to the second input, so that a set value for an image to be formed next is output during image formation using the signal output from the second output.

Abstract: A color gamut surface generating apparatus includes a vertex generating unit and a gamut surface generating unit. A device-dependent color space has axes of (i) four basic colors including black and (ii) at least one extra color which are used in color output by an output device. The vertex generating unit generates, in the device-dependent color space, vertices of each of sub-surfaces constituting a surface of a color gamut by selecting (a) at least one color gamut each of which is output by the output device using a combination of three of the basic colors and one, corresponding to each color gamut, of the at least one extra color, and (b) a color gamut which is output by the output device using the four basic colors.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing contamination build-up within a fuser roll system are disclosed. The method and system includes a donor roll in rotational combination with a fuser roll. The donor roll can be configured to transfer a toner release agent to the fuser roll to reduce toner build-up on the surface of the fuser roll. A grounded static brush can be located proximate to the donor roll. The grounded static brush can be configured to inductively remove electrostatic discharge from the surface of the donor roll. The reduced electrostatic reduces contamination build-up on the fuser roll, and therefore increases the cycle life of the components of the fuser roll system.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for performing a background deletion that exploits both local and global context to remove background and other white space between objects with the aim of retaining structural relationships between objects in the document. A document image is received and seams are carved through the image. Seams composed of uniform background pixels are identified. Adjacent seams containing background pixels are collected into groups of seams. The background seam groups are classified according to their widths. A target number of seams to be removed for each background seam group is then determined based on the classification. Seam groups which are wider will have at least the same or a greater target number of seams to be deleted therefrom than will seam groups of narrower widths. The document image is then resized by deleting seams from the seam groups based on the assigned target number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate using TFT control of electronic discharge for surface potential reduction and latent image formation on an imaging member. Corona charging is performed to first create a background surface potential, followed by selective discharge of individual pixels using an array of TFTs to supply free charge carriers to reduce the electrostatic surface potential to nearly zero. This is followed by discharged area development (DAD) to develop the latent image on a print medium (e.g., paper). The described systems and methods do not require a HVPS to drive the backplane; therefore, the TFT matrix is electrostatically decoupled from the developer and other system components in direct contact with the imaging member. Accordingly, known addressing systems may be used to address the TFT array.

Abstract: This is a toner control system for use in a cleaning station of a xerographic marking apparatus. A sensor is located in the air conduits of the system to measure airflow throughout the system. The sensor is in contact with a controller that is configured to adjust the blower speed to normal conditions (i.e. sea level and clean filter conditions) as the flow rate is reduced due to normal apparatus use. The system has an air blower(s), a filter(s), air conduits, a sensor(s) and a controller(s) in communication with the sensor(s).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (700) that controls fuser nip balance is disclosed. The apparatus can include a first fuser member (110) rotationally supported in the apparatus, a second fuser member (120) rotationally supported in the apparatus, and a rotatable cam mechanism (130) coupled to the second fuser member. The rotatable cam mechanism can be configured to provide variable pressure between the first fuser member and the second fuser member, The rotatable cam mechanism can include a cam rotational axis (135), a first cam end (131) at one end of the cam rotational axis, the first cam end including a first cam member (141) having a first cam profile perpendicular to the cam rotational axis, and a second cam end (132) at another end of the cam rotational axis, the second cam end including a second cam member (142) having a second cam profile perpendicular to the cam rotational axis, the second cam profile different from the first cam profile.