Abstract: A method of storing and outputting a count for an imaging device. The method includes storing the count in a memory storage device. A continuous active signal is detected from an input, the input including continuous active signals and continuous steady-state signals. Also, a count request is receivable from a remote device. The count in the memory storage device is incremented when the continuous active signal from the input is detected. Finally, the count is outputting to the remote device.

Abstract: A broadcast printing system includes a first data communication network including a client device and one or more local imaging devices. A remote imaging device is coupled to the first data communication network through a second data communication network. In response to a single print request generated by an application process hosted on the client device, a print job is transmitted to the local imaging device according to a local print protocol and a print job is transmitted to the remote imaging device according to a protocol suitable for transmitting print jobs in a public data communication network such as the Internet Printing Protocol.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method provides an invoice to a customer for the use of a device by the customer. Information representative of an amount of usage of the device by the customer is recorded and maintained. A process associated with a billing party is coupled to the device through a data communication network. An invoice is provided to a billing destination at a premises of the customer on a human-readable medium having an invoice amount based upon the amount of usage of the device by the customer and pre-established billing contract rules.

Abstract: A telephone communication apparatus includes computing equipment programmed to send and receive telephone calls over a telephone line and a communication board connected to the computing equipment and responsive to program control therefrom. The computing equipment is responsive to detection of an incoming telephone call from a remote terminal to connect the telephone line to the computing equipment. The computing equipment also includes a data storage and a processor for receiving the incoming call and recording the telephone number of the remote terminal in the data storage without intervention by the user at the apparatus, and further includes reply apparatus for sending a reply telephone call to the remote terminal in accordance with the recorded telephone number. The processor can detect the telephone number in the incoming telephone call in a variety of ways, including detecting the telephone number as part of an incoming voice message or as part of incoming control information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for delivering multi-media messages which may include text components, image components, sound components or binary components to multiple recipients over different transmission media. A list of recipients of the multi-media message is inspected to determine all of the different transmission media that will be needed to transmit to all the recipients. The list of recipients may be obtained from an address portion of the multi-media message, and may, for example, consist of the direct recipients of a message, the carbon copy ("cc:") recipients of the message, and the blind carbon copy ("bcc:") recipients of the message. It is possible for each recipient to receive various components of the multi-media message by different media. Then, for each component of the message that is incompatible with all needed transmission media, the component is converted into equivalent components whose types are compatible with all the different transmission media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining a context environment of an editor applet which is processing data to be stored in a container applet. In the invention, a first applet is executed and the context environment indicative of the first applet is stored. A second applet is executed and examines the stored context environment indicative of the first applet. In accordance with the result of the examination, the second applet modifies its operation.

Abstract: A computer-controlled communication board which includes a data access arrangement which functions as an intermediary between multiple telephone lines, a data communication device such as a fax/modem/voice chipset, and a standard telephone handset. The data access arrangement has a line select switch which switchably connects one of the multiple telephone lines to the data communication device via a single transformer and associated 2/4 converter. Off-hook switches are provided for each telephone line so that the data communication device can cause the selected telephone line to go off-hook. Likewise, ring detectors are provided for each telephone line so that the data communication device can detect which of those lines is ringing. Telephone handset switches may be provided for each telephone line so that the telephone handset may be switchably connected to any one of the multiple telephone lines.