Abstract: A method of conducting a multi-level transaction includes receiving a primary call for proposals, publicizing the 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 the computing system with respect to the one or more secondary calls for proposals, automatically determining an estimated cost of fulfillment for each primary bid, receiving a selection of a primary bid based on at least the estimated costs of fulfillment for the primary bids, and displaying the selection of the primary bid. Each secondary call for proposals includes a job request associated with the primary bid. The estimated cost of fulfillment is based on a cost of fulfillment associated with the primary bid and one or more secondary call costs of fulfillment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a modular printing system having individual units comprising input modules, transporter modules, marking engine modules, fuser modules and exit modules each with its own support structure and cabinet. The modular units have common matching interface configurations for paper feed and electrical connections so as to permit numerous combinations and variations of printing systems capable of monochrome, color, duplex, hybrid and simplex printing by modular interconnection as opposed to built-up systems.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to imaging members useful in electrostatography. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an improved development systems for electrophotographic imaging and printing apparatuses and machines in which ghosting print defects are reduced, and more particularly, is directed to a method for reducing positive ghosting in such systems.

Abstract: The Device Model Agent (DMA), the device side technology module in Device Centric Services (DCS) system, is the main focus of this invention. DMA is a thin, efficient applications/services execution environment. DMA provides an embedded services platform for enabling system management applications and services. This allows a flexible, extensible, dynamic services management module allowing networked services to be designed, added, and managed within the system without modifications to devices, DCS system, or DMA itself. While this invention specifically describes the integration of benefits from DMA into document system devices, the concepts are equally applicable in other domains. The DMA runtime environment is a thin software interface layer that resides on a document system device between the Java runtime environment and embedded web server.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a separation unit that separates image information including a first image having plural color components and a second image having a specific color component and to be overlaid at least in part on the first image into a specific color component image of the same color component as the specific color component and an image with color components other than the specific color component among the plural color components; a color conversion unit that performs color conversion of the image with color components other than the specific color component, separated by the separation unit; and a combination unit that combines the color-converted image with color components other than the specific color component, converted by the color conversion unit, and the specific color component image separated by the separation unit.

Abstract: A turret fusing apparatus including (a) a frame; (b) a rotatable external pressure roller mounted at a first mounting position to the frame; and (c) a rotatable turret assembly mounted at a second mounting position on the frame for selectably forming different fusing nips having different characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller. The rotatable turret assembly has at least a pair of internal pressure rollers including a first rotatable internal pressure roller for forming a first fusing nip having a first set of characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller, and a second rotatable internal pressure roller for forming a second fusing nip having a second set of characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller.

Abstract: A document data analysis apparatus, the document data analysis apparatus being connected to a database storing plural document groups which a citation relationship is defined, each of the plural document groups including plural documents, includes: inputting unit that inputs an analysis condition including at least one of a document search condition and a specification of a seed document group, the seed document group being a seed of an active propagation process; determining unit that determines an initial active value of each of plural documents based on the analysis condition; executing unit that executes the active propagation process based on the initial active value and the citation relationship; and display that displays a result of the active propagation process.

Abstract: A display control apparatus for controlling display of a document on a display part, includes an acquiring section that acquires authentication information associated with a user entering a predefined area, a deciding section that decides whether or not the authentication information acquired by the acquiring section satisfies a display authorization condition associated with the document, and a limiting section that limits display of the document on the display part when the deciding section decides that the authentication information does not satisfy the display authorization condition.

Abstract: A maintenance system and method for maintaining an imaging member of an imaging device includes a pre-cleaning device to clean the imaging member; an applicator to apply release agent to the imaging member; a metering device to meter release agent on the imaging member; a reservoir to remotely store release agent; and a pump to supply the applicator with release agent from the reservoir. The saturation level of the applicator is monitored and maintained within a predetermined range. The applicator, pre-cleaning device and metering device may be independently actuated to engage the imaging member. Release agent collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be recycled. Debris collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be stored and/or removed.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing a supporting substrate; an undercoat layer comprised of a mixture of an aminosilane and a halogenated polymer; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.

Abstract: User identification information which is acquired from an originating portable terminal and identifies the originating portable terminal and a destination portable terminal after a wireless communication session is carried out between these portable terminals is registered in a print job database in correlation with print image data to be subjected to image formation. Further, print image data correlated to user identification information corresponding to user confirmation information which is acquired from the destination portable terminal and identifies the originating and destination portable terminals of the wireless communication session carried out between these portable terminals is extracted while referring to the print job database.

Abstract: Fusers, printing apparatuses and methods, methods of fusing toner on media are disclosed. An embodiment of the fusers for fusing toner on a medium includes a rotatable fuser member including an outer fusing surface; a first indenter adapted to form a first indentation in the fusing surface at a first location during movement of the fuser member relative to the first indenter; and a second indenter adapted to form a second indentation in the fusing surface at a second location laterally spaced from the first location during movement of the fuser member relative to the second indenter.

Abstract: A method and system for translating a JDF workflow into a colored Petri net representation. Once the workflow has been converted, the colored Petri net is validated and analyzed. This provides the ability to identify potential deadlock conditions within a JDF workflow. In addition, the model network can be used to simulate throughput and turnaround time of a workflow and the effects of resources arriving at various times.

Abstract: A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of a tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant.

Abstract: An image development method implemented on a substrate conditioning unit for the drying and compression of a print substrate in an electrophotographic imaging process. The conditioning unit includes a heating mechanism for maintaining the heat of compression rollers, belts or nip rollers for compressing the substrate by a determined distance between the conditioning rollers, or by direct contact between a compression roller and a nip roller, and having an abhesive layer to prevent adhesion of the conditioning unit to the print substrate.

Abstract: Rhodamine, thio-rhodamine, acridine, and carbopyronin compounds of the formula wherein M is either (1) a metal ion having a positive charge of +y wherein y is an integer which is at least 2, said metal ion being capable of forming a compound with at least two chromogen moieties, or (2) a metal-containing moiety capable of forming a compound with at least two chromogen moieties, z is an integer representing the number of chromogen moieties associated with the metal and is at least 2, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, a, b, c, d, Y, and z are as defined herein, Q? is a COO? group or a SO3? group, A is an organic anion, and CA is either a hydrogen atom or a cation associated with all but one of the Q? groups.

Abstract: A sheet handling system comprising a sheet registration system having sheet registration nips and a receiving system for a sheet including a capturing point for engaging said sheet. Auxiliary nips are positioned between the sheet registration nips and the receiving station. The auxiliary nips are moveable between an open and closed position. A controller receives a signal indicative of the length of the sheet and sends a signal to the auxiliary nips to be in a sheet engaging position when the length of the sheet is less than the distance between the sheet feeding nips and the capturing point of the receiving station and be in an open position if the length of the sheet is greater than the distance between the sheet registration nips and the capturing point of the receiving station. In another embodiment, the auxiliary nips are maintained in their open position until the trailing edge of a sheet is about to leave the sheet registration nips, at which point the auxiliary nips are closed.

Abstract: A disposal processing system is provided and includes: a disposal section that disposes of a document; a reading section that reads identification information of the document, the identification information being attached to an image on the document; a judging section that makes a judgment whether disposal of the document is permitted on the basis of the identification information; and a controller that controls the disposal section so that the disposal section disposes of the document at least one of: when the judging section makes a judgment that the disposal of the document is permitted; and when the controller acquires information indicating that the disposal of the document is permitted while the judging section makes a judgment that the disposal of the document is prohibited, and so that the disposal section does not dispose of the document when the judging section makes the judgment that the disposal of the document is prohibited.