Abstract: A document scanner for scanning an open book includes a housing and a wedge-shaped transparent platen supported by the housing. The platen defines an upper surface configured to support a book in a face-down position, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The platen includes a first platen portion and a second platen portion joined at a vertex to thereby define the wedge-shape of the platen. The document scanner further includes a scan head moveably supported by the housing. The scan head is configured to move generally parallel to the first platen portion and the second platen portion.

Abstract: A method and system for improving secured access to data files stored on a printing device using an authorization device for receiving and transmitting an authorization code to a printing device for the release of secure data. An authorization code associated with secure data stored in a memory of a printing device is transmitted to an authorization device for later transmission to the printing device for the release of the secure data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that allow a label to be formed on optical disc or other like object using a write laser mechanism within an optical disc drive or like device.

Abstract: A method of detecting undesired metal objects in a document feed path and a document processing apparatus that includes a feeder for transporting document sheets along a feed path; and a detector for detecting the presence of foreign metal objects in said feed path. The detector comprises a source of alternating electrical energy connected to a conductive transmitter loop for generating a pulsed magnetic field proximate the feed path and a conductive receiver loop that receives reflected magnetic field signals. The reflected magnetic signals induce electrical signals in the receiver loop which are amplified and processed to produce output signals which are sent to a phase shift analyzer which discriminates among output signals produced in the receiver loop by magnetic reflections from metal objects of varying types to provide an output signal when an undesired metal object in the feed path is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an image-forming device having at least one patterned roller for affecting the amount of toner present on a print medium when the print medium is advanced through a paper path of the image-forming device and contacts the at least one patterned roller. The roller includes a purposeful pattern that is formed in an outer surface of the roller. The purposeful pattern is configured to form an identifying mark on a print medium as a result of the amount of toner present on the print medium.

Abstract: Methods of recovering from disabled printer states due to the unavailability of print consumables such as toner, ink, or other colorants. Some of those methods use a conversion to a degraded format, such as process black or grayscale. Others of those methods transfer a print job to a printer that is not disabled, the print job optionally including instructions in a printer language or a metafile. A color printer capable of recovering from a disabled printer state due to the unavailability of colorants by converting a print job to a degraded format, such as true black to process black or color to grayscale printing. A printer capable of recovering from a disabled printer state due to the unavailability of colorants by forwarding a print job to another compatible printer or a print server.

Abstract: A system and methods enable the gathering and transferring of usage information for an electronic document so that the document's usage history can be tracked. A document history is recorded into an electronic document through the execution of a tracking module located within the electronic document. When the electronic document is accessed, the tracking module executes to record document history information into the electronic document. The disclosed system and methods provide a convenient way to track secured documents, maintain document databases, and offer feedback to authors on how documents are used so that document contents can be tailored to better suit the needs of an audience.

Abstract: An imaging substance cartridge includes a cartridge body that defines an imaging substance chamber. The chamber can contain an imaging substance, as for example toner or liquid ink. The cartridge includes an imaging substance level indication device. The imaging substance level indication device includes a level indication actuator supported in the cartridge body, and which is configured to displace a vapor volume within the imaging substance chamber. The imaging substance level indication device further includes an imaging substance level indicator supported by the cartridge body. The imaging substance level indicator is responsive to the displacement of vapor volume within the imaging substance chamber.

Abstract: A method of powering up a printing device having a component that employs a warm-up operation, the method including, upon receiving power to the printing device, detecting delay indicia, and selectively delaying the warm-up operation based on the detected delay indicia.

Abstract: A system including a client computer and a remotely networked printer provides deliberate audible feedback to a computer user regarding print jobs sent to the remote computer. The type of feedback presented is user-configurable and non-disruptive to a user's computing activities. The system is capable of providing users of remote shared printers with the same type of audible printing indications typically present when using a local personal printer.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the status or condition of a filter element for an imaging device which employs an optical sensing device to monitor a concentration of toner particles. In one embodiment, the optical sensing device monitors a concentration of toner particles captured in a filter element within an electrostatic imaging device. The optical sensing device is connected to an imaging device controller. An output connected to the controller displays data representative of a degree to which the filter element is clogged by toner particulate.

Abstract: A first indicator is displayed to a computer user to indicate that a specified output device is warmed up and ready to print, while a second indicator is displayed to the user when the output device is not warmed up and ready to print. Preferably, the indicators are GUI icons or buttons, and the first indicator differs from the second by color, with one color being utilized to indicate “ready”, and another to indicate “not ready”. Then, when an output device is not yet ready to print, the user may select and activate the indicator in order to warm up the output device in advance of the user's need to print.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that allow a label to be formed on optical disc or other like object using a write laser mechanism within an optical disc drive or like device.

Abstract: A device and method for retaining media in a predetermined position for imaging. A platen for a flatbed imaging device includes an electrostatic charge that is imparted to the platen either passively or actively. The electrostatic charge is imparted by a movement of a charged object relative to the platen. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic charge is imparted to the platen passively in the sense that the electrostatic charge is imparted by the placement of a platen cover having one triboelectric value in proximity to a platen having another triboelectric value. In an active embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic charge is imparted to the platen actively in the sense that the requisite electrostatic charge is imparted by movement of a charge emitting device, such as a corona wire, in close proximity to the platen.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the status or condition of a filter assembly for an imaging device which employs an optical sensing device to monitor a concentration of toner particles. In one embodiment, the optical sensing device monitors a concentration of toner particles captured in a filter assembly within an electrostatic imaging device. The optical sensing device is connected to an imaging device controller. An output connected to the controller displays data representative of a degree to which the filter element is clogged by toner particulate.

Abstract: A method of identifying a scanned image includes creating an original image with a plurality of halftone resolutions. The original image is then scanned at a scanning resolution to create the scanned image. When the scanning resolution is related to at least one of the plurality of halftone resolutions of the original image, a stamp is generated in the scanned image.

Abstract: The two paper picking rollers of a dual paper picking device independently pull sheets of paper or other print medium from a supply and feed the same to an image printing device. With the two rollers pulling sheets of paper independently, the total amount of paper moved can be doubled without the need to increase the speed of either roller. Increasing the speed of a roller or other paper picking device increases the possibility that the paper will be mishandled and jam the image-printing device.

Abstract: An image-printing device includes a dual paper-picking device that has two independent means of pulling sheets of paper or other print medium from a supply and feeding the same to the image-printing device. With two paper-picking means operating independently, two different paper transport paths can be operated. One path includes a laser print engine and prints monochromatic pages. The other path includes an inkjet print engine and prints color pages. The image-printing device firmware determines whether each page is a color or monochromatic page and formats the page accordingly for the appropriate print path.

Abstract: Systems and methods of an adaptive print driver system are disclosed. A representative adaptive print driver system includes a page description language driver selection system. The page description language driver selection system is configured to receive information corresponding to a print task and determine the document type for the print task. Further, the page description language driver selection system is configured to determine a page description language driver based upon the document type that is to be used to convert the information corresponding to the print task to information corresponding to the print task exhibiting the page description language.

Abstract: A printer error is detected and logged in an error log. If the same printer error has occurred within a predetermined time period, an error message is generated on the printer's control panel and a network administrator is notified of the printer errors. If the same printer error has not occurred within the predetermined time period, the printer is rebooted. If the same printer error has occurred a predetermined number of consecutive times, an error message is generated on the printer's control panel and a network administrator is notified of the printer errors. If the same printer error has not occurred a predetermined number of times, the printer is rebooted.