Abstract: A substrate operable to construct a male-type connector, a female-type connector, and/or a multi-outlet module. The substrate has a plurality of circuits and an edge card male connector including contacts for each circuit. For each circuit, the substrate has a ground plane connected to one or more of the contacts for the circuit. The ground planes may be implemented as localized, electrically floating, isolated ground planes. The substrate may include multiple layers upon which portions of the circuits and ground planes may be disposed. The ground plane corresponding to each of the plurality of circuits may be located in close proximity to conductive elements of the circuit so as to provide a localized common ground to which energy can be conveyed from the conductive elements to thereby limit an amount of energy radiated outwardly from the conductive elements to surrounding conductors.

Abstract: Optical character recognition (OCR) for images such as a street scene image is generally a difficult problem because of the variety of fonts, styles, colors, sizes, orientations, occlusions and partial occlusions that can be observed in the textual content of such scenes. However, a database query can provide useful information that can assist the OCR process. For instance, a query to a digital mapping database can provide information such as one or more businesses in a vicinity, the street name, and a range of possible addresses. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, this mapping information is used as prior information or constraints for an OCR engine that is interpreting the corresponding street scene image, resulting in much greater accuracy of the digital map data provided to the user.

Abstract: A search engine may perform a search for a user search query over a number of possible search categories. For example, the search query may be performed for general web documents, images, and news documents. The search engine ranks categories based on the search query and/or the documents returned for each category and presents the search results to the user by category. Higher ranking categories may be presented more prominently than lower ranking categories.

Abstract: A search engine may perform a search for a user search query over a number of possible search categories. For example, the search query may be performed for general web documents, images, and news documents. The search engine ranks categories based on the search query and/or the documents returned for each category and presents the search results to the user by category. Higher ranking categories may be presented more prominently than lower ranking categories.

Abstract: Optical character recognition (OCR) for images such as a street scene image is generally a difficult problem because of the variety of fonts, styles, colors, sizes, orientations, occlusions and partial occlusions that can be observed in the textual content of such scenes. However, a database query can provide useful information that can assist the OCR process. For instance, a query to a digital mapping database can provide information such as one or more businesses in a vicinity, the street name, and a range of possible addresses. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, this mapping information is used as prior information or constraints for an OCR engine that is interpreting the corresponding street scene image, resulting in much greater accuracy of the digital map data provided to the user.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.

Abstract: Digital mapping techniques are disclosed that provide more flexibility to the user through the use of multiple views of map information, including a secondary map and a main map. The secondary map can provide the user with either a zoomed out or in relative to the main map, or a different type of map view (e.g., satellite images). The secondary map can be turned on and off by the user. The secondary map may include one or more viewing frames that indicate views (e.g., current and alternate views) of the main map. The user can move the main map, viewing frame, or secondary map to achieve desired map views. During such movement, the relationship between the main and secondary maps can be synchronous, partially synchronous, or serial.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.

Abstract: A search engine may perform a search for a user search query over a number of possible search categories. For example, the search query may be performed for general web documents, images, and news documents. The search engine ranks categories based on the search query and/or the documents returned for each category and presents the search results to the user by category. Higher ranking categories may be presented more prominently than lower ranking categories.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a translational pallet that carries servicing appliances, like wipers, caps and flaps. A service station frame defines a guide track that supports the pallet for translational movement in a plane substantially parallel with a printhead plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning axis of the printhead when transported by a carriage. The frame has adjacent pallet and carriage alignment datums. The pallet has a carriage lock that secures the carriage with or without the inkjet printhead installed therein. The pallet has a rack gear that is driven with a spindle pinion gear. The service station frame has a base and a bonnet cover that define the guide track, with the pallet being sandwiched therebetween. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of assembling a service station are also provided.

Abstract: An ink container for an inkjet printer includes a body having a first ink chamber. The body also has a second ink chamber, with a fluid passage connecting the chambers. The second ink chamber has an elongated capillary portion with a light transmissive window revealing the presence of ink in the capillary portion. The first ink chamber is the primary ink storage chamber, and contains an ink-retaining foam element that contacts a capillary feature of the passage. The foam is compressed at one portion to provide a capillarity gradient, and the second chamber capillary has a capillary gradient.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a translational pallet that carries servicing appliances, like wipers, caps and flaps. A service station frame defines a guide track that supports the pallet for translational movement in a plane substantially parallel with a printhead plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning axis of the printhead when transported by a carriage. The frame has adjacent pallet and carriage alignment datums. The pallet has a carriage lock that secures the carriage with or without the inkjet printhead installed therein. The pallet has a rack gear that is driven with a spindle pinion gear. The service station frame has a base and a bonnet cover that define the guide track, with the pallet being sandwiched therebetween. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of assembling a service station are also provided.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a translational pallet that carries servicing appliances, like wipers, caps and flaps. A service station frame defines a guide track that supports the pallet for translational movement in a plane substantially parallel with a printhead plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning axis of the printhead when transported by a carriage. The frame has adjacent pallet and carriage alignment datums. The pallet has a carriage lock that secures the carriage with or without the inkjet printhead installed therein. The pallet has a rack gear that is driven with a spindle pinion gear. The service station frame has a base and a bonnet cover that define the guide track, with the pallet being sandwiched therebetween. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of assembling a service station are also provided.

Abstract: A service station for an inkjet printing mechanism has a moveable platform that receives waste ink which is occasionally discharged from an inkjet printhead. The printing mechanism has a drive mechanism which moves the platform between a first position for receiving the purged ink, and a second position for discharging the purged ink. The moveable platform may be configured as a rotating annular wheel, with a scraper positioned adjacent thereto for removing the discharged ink from the wheel. The platform may be provided by an endless belt conveyed over two or more rollers. At least one of the rollers may be located substantially tinder the printhead, and another roller may be located either near or remote from the printhead. Ink may be discharged from the belt using a scraper, and/or using specially contoured rollers. A method is also provided for cleaning an inkjet pen mounted for use in an inkjet printing mechanism.

Abstract: A rotary self-cleaning servicing system services inkjet printheads in an inkjet printing mechanism. A rotary service station has a wiper supporting tumbler that rotates about an axis parallel to the printhead scanning direction to wipe the printhead orthogonally along the length of a linear nozzle array. A dual blade wiper has a forked wiping tip with wiping surfaces separated by recessed land portions. The wiper wicks ink from one nozzle and drags it along the linear array to other nozzles to lubricate the pen face and to dissolve any accumulated ink residue. Any ink rolls escape through the wiping tip recessed lands and move away from the nozzles. An optional wiper scraping system pivots through cammed engagement with the tumbler to selectively engage and scrape the wipers. A method is also provided of cleaning an inkjet printhead to maintain pen health, particularly for pens using fast drying pigment based inks.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism has multiple inkjet printheads which controllably eject multiple ink droplets, and has a carriage to carry the printhead. The carriage is designed to move the printhead through a print zone to a service station where the printhead is serviced. During a servicing mode of operation, the printheads eject ink droplets at the service station to clear the orifices of the nozzles of the printheads prior to printing. A reservoir is provided at the service station to collect the ink droplets ejected from the printheads during the servicing mode. Multiple chimneys receive ink from the multiple printheads and guide ink from different printheads to different areas of the reservoir. Precipitates that may form when different inks combine are kept away from the chimneys.

Abstract: A service station for an inkjet printing mechanism has a moveable platform that receives waste ink which is occasionally discharged from an inkjet printhead. The printing mechanism has a drive mechanism which moves the platform between a first position for receiving the purged ink, and a second position for discharging the purged ink. The moveable platform may be configured as a rotating annular wheel, with a scraper positioned adjacent thereto for removing the discharged ink from the wheel. The platform may be provided by an endless belt conveyed over two or more rollers. At least one of the rollers may be located substantially under the printhead, and another roller may be located either near or remote from the printhead. Ink may be discharged from the belt using a scraper, and/or using specially contoured rollers. A method is also provided for cleaning an inkjet pen mounted for use in an inkjet printing mechanism.

Abstract: A rotary self-cleaning servicing system services inkjet printheads in an inkjet printing mechanism. A rotary service station has a wiper supporting tumbler that rotates about an axis parallel to the printhead scanning direction to wipe the printhead orthogonally along the length of a linear nozzle array. A dual blade wiper has a forked wiping tip with wiping surfaces separated by recessed land portions. The wiper wicks ink from one nozzle and drags it along the linear array to other nozzles to lubricate the pen face and to dissolve any accumulated ink residue. Any ink rolls escape through the wiping tip recessed lands and move away from the nozzles. An optional wiper scraping system pivots through cammed engagement with the tumbler to selectively engage and scrape the wipers. A method is also provided of cleaning an inkjet printhead to maintain pen health, particularly for pens using fast drying pigment based inks.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism has an inkjet printhead which controllably ejects multiple ink droplets and a carriage to carry the printhead. The carriage is designed to move the printhead through a print zone to a service station where the printhead is serviced. During a servicing mode of operation, the printhead ejects ink droplets at the service station to clear the printhead nozzle orifices prior to printing. A reservoir is provided at the service station to collect the ink droplets ejected from the printhead during the servicing mode. A venturi passageway is also positioned at the service station adjacent to the reservoir. The venturi passageway guides the ink droplets ejected from the printhead into the reservoir.