Abstract: An implementation of an improved Multiple-Original-Output (“Mopying”) technology for multifunction devices (MFDs), described herein, enables a user at a computer to fully control and access the functions of a Mopy-enabled MFD. With this technology, the user fully controls the source (e.g. data and paper) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. Similarly, the user fully controls the destination (e.g. paper and communications) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for formatting source data to be imaged onto a print media. The system is configured to format a single page from the source data as multiple instances within a single page of print media. The formatted data can then be formed as a image by an imaging mechanism. In this manner, the system provides a user with additional formatting options and may reduce an amount of consumed print media.

Abstract: A network or local printer has a video demonstration mode, preferably using a control console of the printer to display steps to be performed by a human user, by producing a video presentation. A stored selection of video clips is stored or made available, each demonstrating an operation being performed on an exemplary printer that resembles the particular printer apparatus. A video clip processor selects among the video clips and/or controls the manner of playback, based on sensed conditions and/or user input to assist the human user in performing the operation, without boring experienced users or overloading inexperienced ones with unneeded information.

Abstract: A print job representing a visible output of a document is created from a print job representing the document. The print job contains page description language (PDL) commands. The PDL commands are sent to a computing device where executable code, such as a computer program, translates the PDL commands into a raster image. The raster image is then communicated to an input output (I/O) interface of an imaging system. The I/O interface communicates the raster image to a printing subsystem where the raster image is printed. The print job may be first sent to the computing device for creating the raster image, then the raster image sent to the imaging system. Alternatively, the print job may be first sent to the imaging system where it is redirected to the computing device. The print job is then communicated to the computing device where the raster image is created from the print job. The raster image is then returned to the imaging system for printing.

Abstract: A printer such as a network printer or a peripheral printer coupled to a processor is provided with a video demonstration mode, preferably using a control console of the printer to display selected digital video files. The printer can be a digital printer, copier, fax printer, or multipurpose device, having a mechanism for applying markings and a sheet handler, wherein at least certain operations require steps to be performed by a human user. The control console or another display or readout is provided, capable of reproducing a video presentation. A stored selection of video clips is stored or made available, each of the video clips containing a demonstration of an operation being performed on an exemplary printer that resembles said printer apparatus. Preferably, a video clip processor selects among the video clips and/or controls the manner of playback, based on sensed conditions and/or user input.

Abstract: A method for selecting a device personality is presented comprising registering each of a plurality of revisions of one or more accessible personalities, wherein each personality is configured to convert incoming data from a particular language to a low-level data stream. Once registered, appropriate personality revisions are dynamically selected to convert the incoming data, while retaining all registered revisions of the one or more personalities for subsequent use.

Abstract: The invention enables a computer user to customize the display of dialog boxes within a graphical user interface of a windowed operating system. More particularly described, some embodiments of the present invention enable a computer user to specify preferred and/or frequently used pages to be displayed as the top page of a dialog box when the dialog box is launched. In the illustrative embodiments presented herein, the invention is described in relation to managing the display of dialog boxes associated with device drivers, such as printer drivers. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to printer driver dialog boxes but, rather, can be applied to any dialog box or other graphical user interface element having multiple pages and/or views.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining multiple printer event logs in response to selected printer events, including errors. In one embodiment, a printer contains an error-detecting device and software for detecting a number of printer events. The printer further contains event logs maintained in a memory on the printer. At least one event log functions as a standard event log, tracking designated printer events in a wraparound file of a fixed number that may only be reset by changing a printer component or at a command entered by field support or maintenance personnel. A second event log may track information on printer events that are selected by a user, or may be generated from the first event log at a user command. The second log may be reset at any time. Additional event logs that are either fixed or selectable may optionally be included.

Abstract: A document production system for setting, controlling, querying and saving printer control settings is provided. Based upon user selected control settings for a single printer, control settings for multiple printers or groups of printers may be manually or automatically set to preserve the selected control settings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing or eliminating rotational skew between images formed on opposing sides of a media sheet during duplex printing. An image forming device is configured to print out a test page having a skewing scale formed thereon. A rotational skew correction factor can be determined from the skewing scale and provided to the image forming device, which is configured to alter placement of images on a media sheet in response to the rotational skew correction factor to compensate for rotational skew.

Abstract: A fuser configured to fuse less than all of a printable area of a print medium passing there through, the fuser including an x-fuser and a y-fuser or a first fuser element for fusing one side of a print medium and a second fuser element for fusing another side of the print medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing or eliminating rotational skew between images formed on opposing sides of a media sheet during duplex printing. An image forming device is configured to print out a test page having a skewing scale formed thereon. A rotational skew correction factor can be determined from the skewing scale and provided to the image forming device, which is configured to alter placement of images on a media sheet in response to the rotational skew correction factor to compensate for rotational skew.

Abstract: The invention assures that page data in a printer/copier memory is retained until the corresponding page is successfully output to an attached page handling accessory. The system incorporating the invention includes a memory with storage regions allocated to store page data to be printed, a print engine that is responsive to the page data to output printed pages, and an output tray for receiving printed pages from the print engine and for providing a first signal indicative of such receipt. A page handling accessory is coupled to the output tray for further processing of the printed pages and is constructed to provide a second signal that is indicative of a page output therefrom after its handling actions are completed. A processor is controlled by a page management process to deallocate storage areas allocated to a page upon receipt of both the first signal and the second signal, indicating that the page has successfully exited from the page handling accessory.

Abstract: An implementation of an improved Multiple-Original-Output (“Mopying”) technology for multifunction devices (MFDs), described herein, enables a user at a computer to fully control and access the functions of a Mopy-enabled MFD. With this technology, the user fully controls the source (e.g. data and paper) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. Similarly, the user fully controls the destination (e.g. paper and communications) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology, described herein, for fusing portions of a print medium as it passes through a fuser assembly of an electrophotographic device, such as a laser printer. An implementation, described herein, of the claimed invention includes a fuser assembly of an electrophotographic device that can selectively fuse portions of a print medium passing there through. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A printer produces an improved pixel image representation of encoded image data when sub-image portions are combined into larger image portions. The printer receives encoded image data as a data stream of sub-image segments and stores the sub-image segments. Each sub-image segment includes associated graphics state information which defines at least some image attributes of the sub-image segment. When each new sub-image segment is completely received, it is placed on a closed image list. Upon such listing, the printer's processor compares the graphics state information and boundary data for the now complete sub-image segment with at least one other listed sub-image segment in the closed list. The processor combines the new sub-image segment with the other sub-image segment if both a matching graphics state and matching boundary data are found. An image processor within the printer then subjects the combined sub-image segments to spatial processing as a unitary image.

Abstract: A computer downloads rasterized font characters to a connected printer and employs a method which enables a rendering of large character sets by the printer, even though the printer is not designed to internally handle such large character sets. The method enables the computer to control allocations of memory in the printer for storage of font data. Initially, the computer arranges for the printer to allocate an initial portion of memory for storage of font data. A printer driver within the computer then analyzes data segments to be sent to the printer to determine if a respective data segment is text-related data; graphics-related data or raster data. If it is determined that text-related data is to be sent to the printer, it is next determined if the printer stores font data to enable a printing of a character designated by a current character-defining data segment.