Abstract: A system and related techniques generate an update to control programming, such as firmware, to embed in an electronic document and transmit to a printer, facsimile or other output device. Compatible printers or other output devices according to embodiments of the invention may contain an intermediate language interpreter which receives, interprets and executes the embedded update in the electronic document. That update may include for example an update to the printer's firmware, downloaded forms, fonts or other updates or enhancements which may for instance stored into EPROM or other memory in the output device. Because the resource update is encapsulated in an intermediate language object which may be universally interpreted by compatible printers, facsimile machines and other devices, updates may be delivered with a need to generate specialized code or follow specialized procedures for specific manufacturer's products.

Abstract: A system and related techniques generate printing and other output operations via a resolution-independent visual tree object. According to embodiments the operating system or other resource may receive the visual tree object and related data from applications or other sources, and perform logic to scale or process the visual output for resolution, effects or other purposes directly from that object. The operating system or other resource itself may be configured to receive the componentized visual tree object and condition or render that object for output to a printer, facsimile machine, copy machine or other output device. The operating system may serialize or spool that object from the source object in native form, relieving applications of the need to prepare documents or other output objects to generate specified resolutions, effects or to adapt the output to specific output drivers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer-readable medium that adjusts pointer movement when an input device causes the pointer to intersect one or more alignment areas. Pointer movement is adjusted in the alignment areas to allow users to easily align GUI objects. The adjusted pointer movement is not proportional to input received from an input device. Instead alignment areas have “friction” in that the pointer is less responsive to input compared to other areas of the computer display.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to assisting users to position a pointer on a target. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer-readable medium that guide a pointer toward a target. After the pointer is located on a target, pointer movement continues to be adjusted so that the user may easily keep the pointer located on the target.