Abstract: In one aspect, a microwave oven comprising an outer case, a door secured to the outer case, and a turntable supported in the case but extending beyond a case front face is described. In an example embodiment, the outer case houses a portion of a cooking cavity, and the cooking cavity is partially defined by a bottom inner wall, a top inner wall, and side inner walls of the case. The door is secured to the case, and the door comprises an inner wall comprising a recessed portion. The oven further includes an RF energy source for supplying RF energy to the cooking cavity, a controller coupled to the RF energy source for controlling supply of RF energy to the cooking cavity, and a user interface coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A method of mapping a color produced by an image device in a presentation color space to a destination color space including steps of receiving the color from the image device, determining if color is to be preserved, converting the color to the destination color space using a default profile if it is determined that color is to be preserved, and converting the color to the destination color space using a device-specific profile absent a determination that color is to be preserved.

Abstract: Color printheads in a color inkjet printer are in a fixed order in the scanning carriage, which causes the colors to be printed in a different order when the carriage is scanned in an opposite direction. The different print order may result in a perceptible change in hue between passes in bi-directional printing. Depleted shingle masks are substituted for the nominal ones, based on print direction, at the shingle masking stage, to compensate for print-direction-induced hue shift. A look-up table indexed by a composite color tone value providing a depletion probability and a halftoning error diffusion value are used in determining when depleted shingle masks are to be invoked.

Abstract: A method, includes depositing a first quantity of a first colorant corresponding to a first color value and a second quantity of a second colorant corresponding to a second color value on a region of media, determining a value related to a hue of the region, determining a difference between the value and a predetermined value. In addition the method includes changing an association between the first color value and a first colorant quantity value, corresponding to the first quantity of the first colorant, according to the difference. An apparatus includes a spectral measurement device configured to generate output corresponding to a spectral content of light reflected from a region on media formed by depositing a first quantity of a first colorant and a second quantity of a second colorant onto the media. In addition, the apparatus includes a memory to store a plurality of color values and a corresponding plurality of first colorant quantity values.

Abstract: A generalized color calibration architecture and method are disclosed. A first interface receives raw measuring data of a sample from a measuring tool. The data has a color type, and the sample has one or more color targets. Each color target has an arrangement of one or more color patches. A second interface receives the color data type, one or more target identifiers specifying the targets, and a color patch order for each target identifier. The color patch order specifies the arrangement of the color patches of a corresponding color target. A color calibration manager performs the color calibration based on the raw measuring data, the color data type, the target identifiers, and the color patch order for each target identifier. The calibration yields or updates one or more color conversion tables for subsequent use with a device, such as a color printer, or another type of device.

Abstract: A color printing system and method for reducing bidirectional hue shift in inkjet printing. A set of data channels for the ink colors of the system is generated, including at least one print-direction-independent data channel, and at least one pair of print-direction-dependent data channels. A print controller receives the set of data channels for printing, and selects the print-direction-independent data channels, and one of each pair of print-direction-dependent data channels, to provide the data for printing in each opposite scanning direction of the print engine.

Abstract: The present invention entails methods, and kits for carrying them out, based on the discovery that an RNA replicase, such as Q&bgr; replicase, has DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (“DDRP”) activity with nucleic acid segments, including DNA segments and DNA:RNA chimeric segments, which comprise a 2′-deoxyribonucleotide or an analog thereof and which have sequences of RNAs that are autocatalytically replicatable by the replicase. The discovery of this DDRP activity provides methods of the invention for nucleic acid amplification wherein a nucleic acid, with a DNA segment with the sequence of an RNA that is autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase, is provided as a substrate for the replicase. The replicase catalyzes synthesis, from the DNA segment, of the RNA, which the replicase then autocatalytically replicates. The invention entails use of the amplification methods in detecting nucleic acid analytes, as in nucleic acid probe hybridization assays.

Abstract: A document-to-printer color gamut matching system enables comparison of at least two color maps in a manner that allows selection of the printer that will result in the best print output. Information related to the document to be printed and information describing the color gamut(s) that each available printer is capable of printing is compared. Each color gamut is evaluated to determine suitability for use with the document. The document-to-printer gamut matching system may provide the author of the document with a number of candidate printers best matched to the printing of the document depending on the rendering intent of the author; may select a printer based on a measurement of best fit; or may generate a custom color map to result in a color gamut that is satisfactory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic color calibration result in a cluster of printers having more uniform color output. Each printer within the cluster prints a color target. Each color target is measured, typically by sensors located in the print path. The data is sent to a central location for processing. Color look-up tables are constructed for each color and for each printer. The color look-up tables are formulated on a baseline characteristic of the printer in the cluster having the least dynamic range. That is, for each printer in the cluster, there is an input value for each color (e.g. cyan) wherein that input value results in the same output ink density as the baseline printer. Each printer in the cluster receives a color look-up table for each color, and incorporates that table in its color data flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method establish two or more selectable colorimetrically equivalent printmasks, and—from among those—select masks for use. An image-processing stage assigns inking spatially among pixels; each mask sets temporal assignments, among print passes, of the spatially assigned inking. Selected masks are used, for successive pixels, in a randomized sequence. The image is defined as an array of input colorimetric levels, each one selectably mapped to any one of plural colorimetrically equivalent masks. Plural colorimetrically equivalent levels are defined, and then assigned (through a randomized procedure) to particular masks. The image is prepared using a pixel grid coarser than the available printer resolution; and the plural equivalent masks formed by varying allocation of printer passes among pixels of the coarser grid.

Abstract: A dual mode stapling system with a first mode for plurally stapling a set of sheets parallel to one edge and a second mode for corner stapling at an angle to a set of sheets, with a single stapler mounted for linear movement by a simple linear repositioning system to selected stapling positions, but selectively further movable by the same linear repositioning system into a transition area where the stapler is automatically pivoted into the second stapling mode for corner stapling by a camming member which engages and pivots the stapler. A spring automatically reverse pivots the stapler back to the first stapling mode position when the linear repositioning system is reversed. The linear repositioning system may be a single reversable stepper motor driven leadscrew.

Abstract: The present invention entails methods, and kits for carrying them out, based on the discovery that an RNA replicase, such as Q&bgr; replicase, has DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (“DDRP”) activity with nucleic acid segments, including DNA segments and DNA:RNA chimeric segments, which comprise a 2′-deoxyribonucleotide or an analog thereof and which have sequences of RNAs that are autocatalytically replicatable by the replicase. The discovery of this DDRP activity provides methods of the invention for nucleic acid amplification wherein a nucleic acid, with a DNA segment with the sequence of an RNA that is autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase, is provided as a substrate for the replicase. The replicase catalyzes synthesis, from the DNA segment, of the RNA, which the replicase then autocatalytically replicates. The invention entails use of the amplification methods in detecting nucleic acid analytes, as in nucleic acid probe hybridization assays.

Abstract: A method of producing high density arrays of target substances comprising the step of sectioning a bundle of target-strands, wherein the target-strands comprise the target substances, and wherein the sectioning results in a plurality of high density arrays. Additionally, the method can include additional steps, such as stabilizing the target-strands or bundles, incorporating one or more additional materials into the high density array, and interrogating the high density array.

Abstract: Printhead longevity is extended by more uniformly utilizing individual printhead printing elements. A preferred algorithm moves an active zone of printing elements uniformly down the printhead on successive print passes. If insufficient printing elements are available to print the next pass, the active zone is moved to a point near the top of the printhead determined by a modulo function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel, single-stranded DNA probe which comprises an anti-target segment, a strand of a promoter, and a reporter segment, arranged so that a target segment, which has a 3'-hydroxyl at its terminus, can prime DNA polymerase-catalyzed extension of the target segment along the probe as template, when the target segment is hybridized to the anti-target segment of the probe, to provide an extension product from which transcripts, with the sequence complementary to that of the reporter segment of the probe, can be made by transcription from the promoter corresponding to the promoter segment of the probe. The transcripts, optionally after further amplification or other processing, can be detected. In one embodiment of the invention, the transcripts will be autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase such as Q.beta. replicase.

Abstract: The present invention entails methods, and kits for carrying them out, based on the discovery that an RNA replicase, such as Q.beta. replicase, has DNA-dependent RNA polymerase ("DDRP") activity with nucleic acid segments, including DNA segments and DNA:RNA chimeric segments, which comprise a 2'-deoxyribonucleotide or an analog thereof and which have sequences of RNAs that are autocatalytically replicatable by the replicase. The discovery of this DDRP activity provides methods of the invention for nucleic acid amplification wherein a nucleic acid, with a DNA segment with the sequence of an RNA that is autocatalytically replicatable by an RNA replicase, is provided as a substrate for the replicase.

Abstract: In an error diffusion process for an inkjet printer, a look-up table is indexed by an input color tone, with entries for base output level, base level error term, threshold error term, and whatever other data may be relevant. This table may be embodied in a conventional memory or software code. The base output level corresponds to the number of ink drops to be ejected by the inkjet print for particular ink colors, the base level error term reflects the error between the input and output of the look-up table, and the threshold error term is subtracted from the total error for the pixel if the base output level is incremented by one.

Abstract: A printing technique is disclosed which takes into account the actual ink drop volumes of the print cartridges used in an inkjet printer. In one embodiment, each of the print cartridges is tested by the manufacturer, and its actual ink drop volume is determined. This actual ink drop volume, or the variance from the nominal ink drop volume, is encoded on the print cartridge itself using any number of techniques. The host computer, which converts RGB tone values to CMYK ink tone values to be printed, reads the information regarding the ink drop volume and adjusts the CMYK tone values as necessary to compensate for the variance in the ink drop volumes. Accordingly, the printer and host computer will adjust the number of CMYK ink drops printed for a particular pixel position on the medium based upon the actual ink drop volumes for the color print cartridges used in the printer.

Abstract: A filter system for continuously removing solid matter from a wastewater is provided. The flow of wastewater is automatically alternated between a pair of filter chambers, each of which contain a filter assembly, upon the filter assemblies reaching a predetermined spent condition. As the wastewater is being introduced into one of the filter chambers, the filter assembly in the other filter chamber is automatically backwashed and readied for another filtering cycle. Each filter assembly includes a filter element coated with a diatomaceous earth filter media through which the wastewater is drawn by creating a vacuum downstream of the filter assembly.