Abstract: Establishing network connectivity at user log-in for a computer system is disclosed. A computer is disclosed that includes one or more network components, such as modems and network adapters. Each network component enables the computer to communicate with one or more different networks, such as corporate networks, the Internet, and so on. An operating system of the computer has an initial boot sequence in which network connectivity is established only after a user logged in. The user specifies the desired networks to communicate with during log-in. A method specifying a boot sequence for a computer in which network connectivity is established at user log-in, and a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform such a method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A media qualification device configured to sort media sheets according to one or more detected media characteristics. The media qualification device comprises a media sensor, an unusable media path and at least one usable media path. Qualified media sheets may be passed to a sheet-fed device for image processing. Qualified media sheets may be sorted among a plurality of usable media paths according to media grade. The media qualification device may further comprise an input/output device configured to select media grade parameters.

Abstract: A multifunctional peripheral (MFP) including a scanner mechanism can deliver a report to a user. The MFP can generate, by use of the scanner mechanism, electronic data that describes an image of a receipt, where the receipt indicates a credit to a credit card account. The MFP can automatically deliver a report of the credit to a user.

Abstract: An ink cartridge refilling station incorporates a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge, a supply of ink and a refilling mechanism for automatically adding ink to the ink cartridge from the supply of ink. An ink cartridge, for use with the cartridge refilling station, includes a reservoir for holding a supply of ink and an input port communicating with the reservoir, the port being configured to receive ink from the automated ink refilling station.

Abstract: A photography guidebook and method of using the same provides technical details for replication of photographs taken previously. The guidebook may contain information about numerous aspects of a photograph, and captions and blank photograph locations for mounting the photographs taken to replicate the previously taken photographs.

Abstract: A printer access control module within a printer receives a request from a client computer for printing resource authorization, determines the policy domain of the requesting client computer, and grants printing resource authorization based on the determined policy domain. A security key is issued to the client to identify the client computer to the printer for confirming granted resource authorization.

Abstract: A media routing control device and method for qualifying media for use with a sheet-fed device includes a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a media sheet. The device further includes a usable sheet media path and an unusable sheet media path. A sheet-inverting duplexing path inverts the media sheet when necessary and a controller controls the routing of the media sheet along one of the media paths according to the detected characteristic.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and computer programs are provided for remotely monitoring a printer status. In monitoring the printer status, one selects a printer status object from among a list of selectable printer status objects in a remote client in data communication with a printer. Thereafter, an email is generated in the remote client and a status request is written into the email in a printer management language native to the printer. The status request requests a current status of the printer status object in the printer. The email is transmitted to the printer through any firewalls. The printer generates a reply email that provides the desired status information and transmits the reply email to the requester.

Abstract: A camera that records the location of the object of a picture includes a module that determines the position of the object of a picture using GPS, range, and angle. A method of associating the calculated coordinates of the object of the photograph with a textual description of the object of the photograph includes retrieving textual information based on the coordinates of the object of the image from a database or online service providing such information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for utilizing embedded data layers in images. In one embodiment, an image database stores and controls images and/or image objects and their associated information metadata layers, which allows for multiple levels of data to be retrieved and encoded into the image. This increases image data content and information in a manner that will not be separated from the image through their embedding in multiple transform or high coding rate watermarks, incorporating the multiple metadata data fields in the selected image or selected image objects. The various embodiments include databases that allow images or sub-images/objects and information associated with the image or object to be easily associated and assembled as needed or produced on demand. In one embodiment, a manufacturer generates a database of product images and associated product information.

Abstract: An improved data embedding and watermarking method and apparatus for images is described that allows for multiple levels of data to be encoded and retrieved, increasing image data content and information in a manner that cannot be lost or separated from the image. The various embodiments include images with two or more data fields/layers watermarked into them or within one or more of their sub-images/objects and methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding the multiple data fields utilizing multiple layer watermarking. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention associate the multiple layers of data directly with an image or sub-image allowing the data to be specific to the image/sub-image and contextual, reducing the potential for reader misunderstanding and improving communication.

Abstract: A fax is sent. A user selects a phone number for a fax destination from a database residing on a handheld device. The phone number is sent from the handheld device to a fax machine via wireless communication. A fax transmission is sent by the fax machine to the fax destination.

Abstract: A method for sorting facsimiles includes identifying an originating phone number from which the facsimile originates, and routing the facsimile based on the identified originating phone number. The facsimile is routed to an E-mail location, to a storage medium or to a selected output slot on a facsimile device. In some embodiments, the method includes mapping the originating telephone number to facsimile destination or destinations. A facsimile device includes a processor, a memory, and a data reader adapted to identify an originating phone number from data associated with a ring signal. A system for sorting facsimiles includes a processor, a storage device, and software operable on the processor to identify an originating phone number from which the facsimile originates, and route the facsimile based on the identified originating phone number.

Abstract: Hard imaging devices, hard imaging systems, articles of manufacture, hard imaging device file system accessing methods, hard imaging device file system sharing methods are described. According to one aspect, a hard imaging device comprises a communications interface configured to communicate with a communications medium external of the hard imaging device, an image engine configured to form hard images using media, a file system configured to store a plurality of electronic files, processing circuitry having a server system configured to communicate with the file system and at least an external management device or a computer device, and wherein communication with at least the external management device or the computer device is performed using a web sharing protocol.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to hard imaging devices, hard imaging systems, articles of manufacture, hard imaging device electronic mail processing methods. A hard imaging device includes a communications interface configured to communicate with a communications medium and a communications device, the communications device and the communications medium are communicatively coupled with one another and located external of the hard imaging device, an image engine configured to form hard images using media, processing circuitry configured to control the image engine to form hard images and to communicate with the communication device and an external computer device, and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to track electronic mail communication comprising electronic information received within the hard imaging device and invoke an operation of the hard imaging device.

Abstract: Hard imaging systems, hard imaging management devices, hard imaging devices, articles of manufacture, hard imaging device operational methods, and hard imaging device configuration methods are described. According to one aspect, a hard imaging system includes a plurality of hard imaging devices individually comprising a communications interface configured to communicate with a communications medium external of the respective hard imaging device, an image engine configured to form hard images using media, a file system configured to store a plurality of electronic files, and processing circuitry configured to access the electronic files of the file system during the formation of the hard images, and a management device comprising a communications interface configured to communicate with the communications medium and the hard imaging devices, processing circuitry configured to access and to modify the file systems of the respective hard imaging devices.

Abstract: A method of printing a print job includes separating a print job into subsections, and identifying a subsection access level for the subsections of the print job. A requesting party is also provided with an access level that is determined. In one embodiment, the requesting party's access level is placed in a print job by a print driver program of a requesting party. The subsection access level and the requesting party access level are compared, and the subsections of the print job that have a subsection access level meeting the requesting party access level are printed. A system for secure printing of a print job includes a processor, a storage device, a printer, and software operable on the processor to identify subsections of a print job, and identify a subsection access level for the subsections of the print job. The system includes media that includes instructions operable on a processor to identify subsections of a print job, and identify a subsection access level for the subsections of the print job.

Abstract: Hard imaging systems, articles of manufacture, and hard imaging methods are described. According to one aspect, a hard imaging system includes an image engine configured to form a hard image upon media, processing circuitry configured to access image data corresponding to the hard image, to process the image data to provide raster data, to output the raster data to the image engine, and to encapsulate the raster data, wherein the image engine is configured to form the hard image responsive to the raster data during a first imaging operation, and wherein the encapsulated raster data comprises data which may be utilized to generate the hard image formed by the image engine during a second imaging operation different than the first imaging operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modifying files that are part of file system in a printer or printing device. The file system is related to a database, such that the database is updated when the file system is modified. Changes to the files system are made through a request, modifying the file system based on the request, and updating the database. Individual files make up programs that may be provided by a printer manufacturer or a third party solution provider. When the printer manufacturer or solution provider desires to modify files affecting a program, a query may be made as to the existing files in the database of the particular printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for canceling a corrupted print job in an imaging environment is described. The method terminates a corrupted print job by monitoring the image data of the print job for the presence of at least one characteristic indicative of a corrupted print job. When the characteristic is detected, the remaining print job is cancelled thereby preserving resources. An apparatus for monitoring the image data including processes that search for characteristics within the print job that are indicative of corrupted data is also disclosed. The apparatus also initiates a cancellation of the remaining portion of the print job. An imaging device incorporating the method and monitor apparatus is also disclosed.