Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for networked print management without the presence of print servers. The system, method, and apparatus allow a user to submit documents to a multifunction device for printing. The multifunction device (MFD) is in communication with one or more other MFDs over an application server. The application server acts as a request broker to allow one MFD to print a document on another MFD. The user accesses the MFD to view the submitted documents. The one or more other MFDs send any additional documents to the accessed MFD. The user selects one or more of the user's documents for printing by the accessed MFD. The user can also select the user's documents on the accessed MFD and forward them to a second MFD for printing.

Abstract: A method includes attaching multiple layers to a back side of at least a portion of a fluid dispensing subassembly having at least one inlet port to form a fluid dispensing assembly, aligning a laser to a region of the fluid dispensing assembly, the region corresponding to the inlet port, and forming at least one hole in the region using a laser, the hole completing a path through the layers to the inlet port. A fluid dispensing assembly has a fluid dispensing subassembly having at least one inlet port, a fluid manifold having at least one outlet, at least two layers between the fluid dispensing subassembly and the manifold, and a fluid path in the at least two layers between the outlet and the inlet port, the fluid path having smooth walls and substantially uniform width.

Abstract: A drop emitting device that includes a drop generator, a drive signal including a plurality of fire intervals applied to the drop generator, wherein the drive signal includes in each fire interval a bi-polar drop firing waveform or a time varying non-firing waveform.

Abstract: An electronic device including in any sequence: (a) a semiconductor layer; and (b) a dielectric structure comprising a lower-k dielectric polymer and a higher-k dielectric polymer, wherein the lower-k dielectric polymer is in a lower concentration than the higher-k dielectric polymer in a region of the dielectric structure closest to the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method of classifying an input image includes the initial steps of labeling an input image in accordance with a class and extracting at least one connected component from the input image. The method also includes the steps of calculating at least one feature of the input image and generating a model based on the at least one calculated feature. The method also includes the steps of repeating at least one of the previous steps for at least one other input image and comparing the at least one other input image with the model. The at least one other input image is classified in accordance with the class of the model if the at least one calculated feature of the at least one other input image is substantially similar to that of the model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate using end-user feedback to automatically distinguish between a normal behavior and a device failure which can be a hard failure (e.g., a device malfunction) or a soft failure. For instance, upon detection of a usage switch from a first device to a second device by a user, a survey message is sent to the user to solicit information regarding the reasons for the switch. If the switch was triggered by a device malfunction, the detected device failure is verified and an alert is sent to an administrator and/or potentially impacted users. If the switch was triggered by the user's need for functionality (e.g., color printing, collation, etc.) not provided by the first device, which is otherwise functioning properly, then the detected failure is determined to be a failure and the failure detection algorithm is updated accordingly.

Abstract: A system is employed to reveal a watermark in a document. A watermark generator is utilized to select the placement and at least one colorant combination of an image and at least one colorant combination for a watermark on a document, where the at least one colorant combination of the image and the watermark form a metameric pair. A printing system receives data from the watermark generator and places the image and the watermark on the document. A decoder comprising a narrow band illumination element is selected or tuned to a wavelength corresponding to the colorant combinations utilized by the printing system to reveal the watermark placed thereon.

Abstract: A cross-language question answering system includes a server which hosts a plurality of community question answering (CQA) websites for different countries. The websites can generate a graphical user interface on an associated user terminal. A machine translation system translates a user question from a first language into a second language. The system may alert the user to similar questions posted on other CQA websites in other languages. The system may post the translated question on another CQA website and notify the user of answers to the translated question that are posted on the website by other users. The system may include memory which stores a plurality of archives, each including questions and answers posted on a corresponding one of the CQA websites. The system may allow a user to enter a query in the user's language and receive responses to the queries retrieved from the archives of other CQA websites.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of conducting a multi-level transaction includes receiving a primary call for proposals, receiving one or more primary bids by a computing system with respect to the primary call for proposals, receiving one or more secondary calls for proposals for each primary bid, receiving one or more secondary bids by a computing system with respect to the one or more secondary calls for proposals, automatically determining an estimate of a trustworthiness rating for each primary bid, receiving the selection of a primary bid based on the estimates of the trustworthiness rating, and displaying the selection of the primary bid. Each secondary call for proposals includes a job request associated with the primary bid. The estimate of the trustworthiness rating is based on a trustworthiness rating associated with the primary bid and one or more secondary bid trustworthiness ratings.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling visual processing of selected objects in a complex document. The system and method enhance the visibility of certain selected objects or layers in a document, and attenuates the visibility of the remaining objects or layers. This is accomplished by selecting a portion of an input image according to a pre-determined criteria, applying a first image modification scheme to the selected portion of the image to produce a first modified portion of the image, applying a second image modification scheme to a non-selected portion of the image to produce a second modified portion of the image, and displaying the image as a combination of the first modified portion and the second modified portion.

Abstract: A stepping motor controlling device includes first and second clock signal generators, plural drivers, and a controller. The first clock signal generator generates a reference clock signal for rotationally driving of plural stepping motors. The second clock signal generator generates, on the basis of the reference clock signal, for each of the stepping motors, speed control clock signals. The plural drivers are provided respectively for the stepping motors and, on the basis of the speed control clock signals for the respective stepping motors, generate pulse excitation signals and input the pulse excitation signals to the stepping motors to rotationally drive the stepping motors. The controller controls the second clock signal generator to generate the speed control clock signals such that phases of the respective speed control clock signals for the stepping motors differ from one another.

Abstract: A method and a system for automatically tracking and controlling usage of a first set of components, including the steps of receiving data from one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags electrically coupled with a second set of components; checking whether the first set of components are permitted to communicate with the second set of components; and enabling the first set of components to transfer data between the first and second set of components when communication is permitted.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for iterative seam selection in an image resizing system utilizing a seam carving technique. In one embodiment, an importance map is generated for a received source image. Seams are carved through the image from one edge to an opposite edge. An energy is computed for each seam based on pixel importance values. A distance is computed from each seam to a previously selected seam. A weighting for each seam is computed using a defined weighting function and the calculated seam distances. The weighting is applied to the energy of each seam produce a revised energy for each seam. A seam is selected based on the produced revised energy. The image is resized at a location of the selected seam. The process repeats until the image has been resized to a desired target output dimension. In such a manner, unnatural image resizing results are avoided.

Abstract: An ink composition comprises silver nanoparticles, hydrocarbon solvent, and an alcohol co-solvent. The ink composition is suitable for printing conductive lines that are uniform, smooth, and narrow on various substrate surfaces.

Abstract: A thin-film transistor has a semiconducting layer which comprises a halogen-coordinated metal phthalocyanine complex of Formula (I) or Formula (II): wherein M is a trivalent metal atom; each m represents the number of R substituents on the phenyl or naphthyl ring, and is independently an integer from 0 to 6; each R is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, phenoxy, phenylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, —CN, and —NO2; and X is a halogen atom.

Abstract: A toner image transfer assembly has a tacking assembly, an image transfer assembly, and a media transport assembly. The tacking assembly senses critical properties of media while electrostatically tacking media to a transport device. The tacking assembly forwards data corresponding to the sensed electrical properties to the image transfer assembly so that the image transfer assembly anticipates the electrical properties of an approaching media type.

Abstract: A method and system for delivery of targeted advertisement via multifunction document imaging devices. Imaging devices used for copying, scanning, faxing and printing documents are used to deliver advertisements, coupons, and other promotional material to users. The imaging device is capable of delivering targeted promotional material based on analysis of the documents content passing through the device. Targeting is based on device history, user history or user demographics. Device history and user history are compiled from the contents of the documents processed respectively at a device and by a user. Demographics are inferred from a demographics model using user identity or document content input to the model. Advertisements may be delivered via paper, the device display, and other means.

Abstract: A display medium is provided. The display medium includes a pair of electrodes disposed so as to have a gap therebetween, an electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, an electroconductive porous layer disposed at least one of the pair of electrodes at the side facing the other electrode, a first electrochromic dye held by the porous layer, a second electrochromic dye dispersed in the electrolyte and forming a color different from the color of the first electrochromic dye. Both the first electrochromic dye and the second electrochromic dye are oxidation dyes which form colors by an electrochemical oxidation reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction, or reduction dyes which form colors by an electrochemical reduction reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction.

Abstract: A method of configuring a printing system includes providing a document key having an initial image and providing a printing system that includes a memory storing a first system setting. The method also includes scanning the document key and validating the initial image. The method can optionally include marking a first overlay image over at least a portion of the initial image, scanning the document key, and verifying the marking of the first overlay image thereon. The method also includes configuring or permitting the configuration of the printing system after the initial image has been validated or the marking of the first overlay image on the initial image has been verified. A printing system that is capable of being configured using the document key is also included.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconducting polythiophenes comprising a repeating unit of Formula (A) or a copolythiophene of Formula (B): wherein A and B are each alkyl having from 1 to about 25 carbon atoms; and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, x, and y are as defined herein. These polythiophenes have high mobility and are soluble in common organic solvents, so that chlorinated solvents do not need to be used. They are useful for depositing semiconducting layers, particularly in organic thin-film transistors.