Abstract: Techniques to parse an electronic document to extract a comment and topological features of the electronic document to which the comment is attached, transform the comment into one or more printing command and one or more parameters of the printing command, generate a printed document from the electronic document, and apply the printing command and parameters of the printing command specifically to the topological features to which the comment is attached when generating the printed document.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate generally to aero-based printing. In an example thereof, obtained are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) having a first UAV attached to a guide rail and a second UAV attached to an insert or a carriage guide (“guide”). The guide is configured for coupling into or onto the guide rail for slidable movement with a printhead assembly attached to the guide for movement therewith. The printhead assembly includes at least one colorant material holder. In-flight movement of the guide rail is controlled via the first UAV to a print target. In-flight movement of the second UAV is controlled for engagement of the guide into or onto the guide rail. The second UAV communicates to the printhead assembly for controlled printing responsive in part to movement of the guide by the second UAV relative to the guide rail.

Abstract: Techniques to parse an electronic document to extract a comment and topological features of the electronic document to which the comment is attached, transform the comment into one or more printing command and one or more parameters of the printing command, generate a printed document from the electronic document, and apply the printing command and parameters of the printing command specifically to the topological features to which the comment is attached when generating the printed document.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive an encoder-input data stream (EIDS) encoded in a encoder-input format. The computing device can reformat the EIDS into an encoder-output data stream (EODS) encoded in an encoder-output format that differs from the encoder-input format. The EODS can include a page table for pages, resources of the pages that include reusable resources used multiple times, and binary-formatted commands related to the resources, which are stored in stored in first-come, first-served fashion. The page table can refer to pages of the EODS. The EODS can be based on a resource table storing entries for each reusable resource. Each reusable resource is stored only once in the EODS. The computing device can generate an output based on the EODS.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate generally to aero-based printing. In an example thereof, obtained are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) having a first UAV attached to a guide rail and a second UAV attached to an insert or a carriage guide (“guide”). The guide is configured for coupling into or onto the guide rail for slidable movement with a printhead assembly attached to the guide for movement therewith. The printhead assembly includes at least one colorant material holder. In-flight movement of the guide rail is controlled via the first UAV to a print target. In-flight movement of the second UAV is controlled for engagement of the guide into or onto the guide rail. The second UAV communicates to the printhead assembly for controlled printing responsive in part to movement of the guide by the second UAV relative to the guide rail.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive an encoder-input data stream (EIDS) encoded in a encoder-input format. The computing device can reformat the EIDS into an encoder-output data stream (EODS) encoded in an encoder-output format that differs from the encoder-input format. The EODS can include a page table for pages, resources of the pages that include reusable resources used multiple times, and binary-formatted commands related to the resources, which are stored in stored in first-come, first-served fashion. The page table can refer to pages of the EODS. The EODS can be based on a resource table storing entries for each reusable resource. Each reusable resource is stored only once in the EODS. The computing device can generate an output based on the EODS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive a decoder-input data stream encoded in a decoder-input format. The decoder-input data stream can include one or more pages of content. The decoder-input data stream can be initiated by an identifier identifying the decoder-input format (which may be the same as an encoder-output format) and a lookup table. The lookup table can reference objects within the decoder-input data stream and can specify locations of each of the one or more pages within the decoder-input data stream. The computing device can generate an output based on the decoder-input data stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive a decoder-input data stream (DIDS) encoded in a decoder-input format, the DIDS including a page table for pages in the DIDS, resources of the pages in the DIDS, and commands related to the resources, where the commands are in a binary format. The page table can refer to the pages of the DIDS. The resources can include reusable resources that are used multiple times in the DIDS, where each reusable resource is stored only once in the DIDS. The resources can be stored in first-come, first-served fashion in the DIDS. The computing device can decode the DIDS by executing the commands to generate an output depicting the pages. The computing device can provide the output depicting the pages.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer (MFP) which has a first transceiver circuit which is configured to receive wireless broadcast signals from a second transceiver circuit, where the wireless broadcast signal identifies the second transceiver, where the first transceiver circuit is powered by the MFP, and where the first transceiver circuit is configured to determine a first distance that the second transceiver circuit is away from the first transceiver circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive a decoder-input data stream encoded in a decoder-input format. The decoder-input data stream can include one or more pages of content. The decoder-input data stream can be initiated by an identifier identifying the decoder-input format (which may be the same as an encoder-output format) and a lookup table. The lookup table can reference objects within the decoder-input data stream and can specify locations of each of the one or more pages within the decoder-input data stream. The computing device can generate an output based on the decoder-input data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interrupting a print job in progress to immediately print a higher priority job utilizes an interpreter installed on an external hardware device to pre-process the higher priority job. When a high priority job is present, the external interpreter may convert page description language (PDL) data from the high priority job to raster data. Processing time needed to begin the high priority job is reduced and wait time to resume the interrupted job is minimized.

Abstract: Example systems and related methods relate to distributed printing. A first printing device can receive a print job with a first portion associated with first printing characteristics and a second portion associated with second printing characteristics, where the first and second printing characteristics can differ. A first page can be in both the first and second portions of the print job. The first printing device can generate a first portion of printed output according to the first printing characteristics. The first portion can include a first output page for the first page. The first portion can be provided to the second printing device. The second printing device can generate a second portion of printed output to complete the print job according to the second printing characteristics that includes the first portion, where the second portion includes the first output page after being further printed by the second printing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive an input data stream encoded in an encoder-input format. The input data stream can include a header identifying the encoder-input format, pages of content, a cross-reference table referencing objects in the pages of content, and a trailer object. The computing device can determine a list of pages within the input data stream. The computing device can reformat the input data stream into an output data stream having an encoder-output format. The output data stream can include an identifier identifying the encoder-output format, a lookup table, pages in the list of pages, the cross-reference table, and the trailer object. The lookup table can reference objects and specify locations of pages within the output data stream. The computing device can generate an output based on the output data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interrupting a print job in progress to immediately print a higher priority job utilizes an interpreter installed on an external hardware device to pre-process the higher priority job. When a high priority job is present, the external interpreter may convert page description language (PDL) data from the high priority job to raster data. Processing time needed to begin the high priority job is reduced and wait time to resume the interrupted job is minimized.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer (MFP) which has a first transceiver circuit which is configured to receive wireless broadcast signals from a second transceiver circuit, where the wireless broadcast signal identifies the second transceiver, where the first transceiver circuit is powered by the MFP, and where the first transceiver circuit is configured to determine a first distance that the second transceiver circuit is away from the first transceiver circuit.

Abstract: A system for securely storing and charging a mobile device includes an AC-connectable device, such as a multi-function printer or photocopier, having a charging area and a power source, wherein a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, an e-reader or a portable rechargeable battery pack, is charged by placing the mobile device in the charging area and attaching the device to the power source. The charging area allows for the mobile device to be secured to or within the AC-connectable device. The charging area can be configured in many ways, including as a movable locking compartment, a fixed locking compartment or a rotatable locking compartment. The mobile device may also be used to power the AC-connectable device when it is not connected to an AC power source. The system also optionally provides for cleaning, sanitizing or drying of the mobile device while it is in the charging area.

Abstract: A system for securely storing and charging a mobile device includes an AC-connectable device, such as a multi-function printer or photocopier, having a charging area and a power source, wherein a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, an e-reader or a portable rechargeable battery pack, is charged by placing the mobile device in the charging area and attaching the device to the power source. The charging area allows for the mobile device to be secured to or within the AC-connectable device. The mobile device may also be used to power the AC-connectable device when it is not connected to an AC power source. The system also optionally provides for cleaning, sanitizing or drying of the mobile device while it is in the charging area.

Abstract: A system for securely storing and charging a mobile device includes an AC-connectable device, such as a multi-function printer or photocopier, having a charging area and a power source, wherein a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, an e-reader or a portable rechargeable battery pack, is charged by placing the mobile device in the charging area and attaching the device to the power source. The charging area allows for the mobile device to be secured to or within the AC-connectable device. The mobile device may also be used to power the AC-connectable device when it is not connected to an AC power source. The system also optionally provides for cleaning, sanitizing or drying of the mobile device while it is in the charging area.

Abstract: A system for securely storing and charging a mobile device includes an AC-connectable device, such as a multi-function printer or photocopier, having a charging area and a power source, wherein a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, an e-reader or a portable rechargeable battery pack, is charged by placing the mobile device in the charging area and attaching the device to the power source. The charging area allows for the mobile device to be secured to or within the AC-connectable device. The charging area can be configured in many ways, including as a movable locking compartment, a fixed locking compartment or a rotatable locking compartment. The mobile device may also be used to power the AC-connectable device when it is not connected to an AC power source. The system also optionally provides for cleaning, sanitizing or drying of the mobile device while it is in the charging area.

Abstract: A computer input device (e.g. a mouse) with a finger-triggered sensor is described. The sensor generates input signals in addition to the conventional mouse signals generated by click buttons, tracking device and scrolling wheel. The sensor may be an optical sensor, a touch-sensitive sensor or other types of sensors. The signals generated by the sensor, either alone or in combination with other signals generated by the buttons, tracking device or scrolling wheel, may be interpreted to generate various messages for the operating system and/or application programs. The interpretation may be performed by a circuit on the input device, by a driver program on the host computer, or both. The sensor may be provided on a mouse, a laptop keyboard that has a pointing device, an external keyboard equipped with a pointing device, or on a stand-alone device that can be electrically connected to a computer through its available ports.