Abstract: A filter paper having a composition of softwood fibers in the range of about 50 to about 100 percent by weight, and synthetc fibers that are present in the range of about 0 to about 50 percent by weight. The softwood fibers can be divided between northern softwoods and southern softwoods. Pulp is present in an amount of about 95 to about 98 weight percent of the furnish.

Abstract: A method for printing a coordinate pattern on a medium includes assigning a pattern to the medium. The pattern is formed on the medium with fixer. A method of calculating a position of an object in relation to the medium using the pattern is disclosed. A predetermined wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is projected onto the pattern and a presence of absence of emittance from the fixer of the pattern is detected. A medium including a substrate having a coordinate pattern overlying at least one side of the substrate is further disclosed. The coordinate pattern includes a means for fluorescing when subjected to a predetermined wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. In another embodiment, a system for forming a substantially invisible coordinate pattern on a medium is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of managing print services provided by a print provider includes defining a network communication link between the print provider and a print managing system controller having the print services provided by the print provider registered therewith. The print managing system controller receives a job ticket for a print job and compares the job ticket with the print services provided by the print provider to determine if the print provider has the print services to fulfill the print job. If the print managing system controller determines that the print provider has the print services to fulfill the print job, the print managing system controller distributes the job ticket for the print job to the print provider via the network communication link.

Abstract: A system and method of managing print services provided by a print provider includes defining a network communication link between the print provider and a print managing system controller having the print services provided by the print provider registered therewith. The print managing system controller collects data related to the print services provided by the print provider and analyzes the data related to the print services provided by the print provider.

Abstract: Microencapsulated electrophotographic toner particles are provided with a shell that, upon rupture, substantially determines the color of the image produced by such particles.

Abstract: An information page system and method provides information to a consumer from an information station. The system includes the information station, an information database system with a database manager, and an information page printed by the information station using information provided from the information database system. The information page includes a feedback mechanism for submitting data representative of the information provided back to the information database system. In a method of providing information using information page system, a request for information is received from the consumer at the information station. The information, and an incentive related to the requested information, are retrieved from an information database. The information and the incentive are then printed on the information page for the consumer at the information station.

Abstract: A method and system for providing targeted advertising to a customer are provided. The method includes the steps of retrieving billing information for the customer; retrieving an item of customer information relating to the customer; correlating the item of customer information to an advertisement; retrieving the advertisement; and forming a billing statement containing the billing information for the customer and the advertisement. The method may also include the steps of providing billing information for a collection of customers, collecting customer information, and providing a collection of advertisements from which the advertisement is selected.

Abstract: Microcapsules for an inkjet ink composition are provided with a colored shell that, upon rupture, substantially determines the color of the image produced by such microcapsules.

Abstract: Printing of overhead transparencies, comprising non-absorbent, hydrophobic media such as polyester, is accomplished by an ink-jet printer by providing a time delay between printing of dots (10) at the same location or by printing adjacent dots. In one embodiment, a line is printed with dots at selected locations and the line is then reprinted with dots at the same locations, using the same color or a different color, as desired. An area-fill pattern (20), produced in accordance with the invention, is substantially homogeneous, lacking the drip lines and non-homogeneity (18) resulting from coalescence of prior art approaches.

Abstract: An aqueous-based ink composition for use in ink-jet printers in disclosed. The composition comprises (a) a vehicle of about 5 to 95% water and the balance at least one glycol ether, such as diethylene glycol; (b) a dye, such as Food Black 2, having at least one negatively charged functional group per molecule, present in an amount up to about 10% of the vehicle composition; and (c) a cationic compound selected from the group consisting of alkanol ammonium compounds and cationic amide compounds, present in an amount such that there is at least one molecule of cationic compound for at least one of the negatively charged functional groups on the dye, the pH of the ink composition being maintained in the acidic region below about 7.The ink composition of the invention evidences minimal crusting and reduced evaporation loss of water. The solubility of anionic dyes is increased in the acidic medium over that otherwise obtainable, due to the presence of the alkanol ammonium compound of amide.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous-based ink composition for use in ink-jet printers in disclosed. The process comprises (a) forming a solution of a dye having at least one negatively charged functional group per molecule; (b) acidifying the solution; (c) cycling the solution through a reverse osmosis membrane to form a concentrate and a permeate, the concentrate including a cation of the compound associated with at least one functional group on the dye and the permeate including a cation formerly associated with at least one functional group; (d) adding water as necessary (e) concentrating the dye by reverse osmosis; and (f) admixing the concentrated dye with at least one glycol ether. The pH of the ink composition is maintained below about 7.