Abstract: A method for processing a print job includes: a) processing printer description language (PDL) image data for a select page of a print job to form raster image data for the select page, processing of the PDL image data and storing the raster image data in a RIP orientation; b) processing the raster image data for the select page to form bitmap image data for the select page, transforming the raster image data from the RIP orientation to a print orientation and storing the bitmap image data in the print orientation; and c) printing the bitmap image data arranged in the print orientation on a target substrate page to form a printed substrate page for the select page of the print job. A printing platform associated with the method includes a storage device, a RIP module, a rotator module, and a print engine.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for providing a dimension and a proximity of an object are disclosed. For example, the method receives a three dimensional depth map expressed as a two dimensional array of gray values, rasterizes the two dimensional array of gray values into vertical scan lines and horizontal scan lines for a left speaker and a right speaker and converts the vertical scan lines and the horizontal scan lines into a double beep, wherein a first beep of the double beep represents a vertical dimension of the object, the second beep of the double beep represents a horizontal dimension of the object, an intensity of each beep of the double beep represents the proximity of the object and a frequency spectrum of the double beep represents a shape of the object.

Abstract: A portable computing device is connected to another device that has an optical scanner and a facsimile modem. An application on the portable computing device causes the optical scanner to scan an item and causes the separate device to transmit the electronic image of the scanned item to the portable computing device. The application receives facsimile information into a graphic user interface of the portable computing device. Then, the application creates a facsimile file by combining the electronic image and the facsimile information. The facsimile file is transmitted to the separate device, and the application causes the separate device to send the converted electronic image as a facsimile using the facsimile information contained within the facsimile file. The portable computing device receives the result of the attempt to send the facsimile from the separate device, and this result is displayed on the graphic user interface of the portable computing device.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for selectively activating a universal serial bus (USB) port are disclosed. For example, the method receives a predefined list of services that are acceptable to work with the USB port, configures the USB port based on the predefined list of services, receives an indication that a service is requested via the USB port and provides the service via the USB port when the USB port is configured to provide the service based on the predefined list of services.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for providing a dimension and a proximity of an object are disclosed. For example, the method receives a three dimensional depth map expressed as a two dimensional array of gray values, rasterizes the two dimensional array of gray values into vertical scan lines and horizontal scan lines for a left speaker and a right speaker and converts the vertical scan lines and the horizontal scan lines into a double beep, wherein a first beep of the double beep represents a vertical dimension of the object, the second beep of the double beep represents a horizontal dimension of the object, an intensity of each beep of the double beep represents the proximity of the object and a frequency spectrum of the double beep represents a shape of the object.

Abstract: A wireless communication device of a first device detects a pattern of taps made with a wireless communication device of a second device. A processor of the first device automatically interprets the pattern of taps as a command from a plurality of tap pattern-based commands. Functional elements of the first device automatically perform an operation corresponding to the command to fully execute the command based only on the pattern of taps. Each of the taps comprises the distance between the first device and the second device changing from a first distance to a second distance and returning to at least the first distance within a predetermined period of time, and the first distance is at least twice as large as the second distance. Also, different patterns of taps represent different commands of the tap pattern-based commands.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a convenient way for users to access segregated work spaces on mobile devices. A game-like multi-level interactive approach is used to prompt users for input to verify their identity. Multiple identity verification attributes can be collected at each level of interaction. Authentication is achieved when a settable level of user identification confidence is reached. This can potentially reduce the amount of interaction needed as compared to requiring a user to type in a long, cryptic password.

Abstract: A wireless communication device of a first device detects a pattern of taps made with a wireless communication device of a second device. A processor of the first device automatically interprets the pattern of taps as a command from a plurality of tap pattern-based commands. Functional elements of the first device automatically perform an operation corresponding to the command to fully execute the command based only on the pattern of taps. Each of the taps comprises the distance between the first device and the second device changing from a first distance to a second distance and returning to at least the first distance within a predetermined period of time, and the first distance is at least twice as large as the second distance. Also, different patterns of taps represent different commands of the tap pattern-based commands.

Abstract: Methods and systems establish dynamic profiles for each of many document processing devices, based on current device connection specifications, current device drivers, current device capabilities, and current device workflow functions using a centralized connection device. These methods and systems provide device menu options from the centralized connection device to graphic user interfaces of the document processing devices. The device menu options provided from the centralized connection device displays the graphic user interfaces for the control of the document processing devices with the currently available workflows (that will be processed using a corresponding device and at least one other device of the document processing devices) and currently available management functions for the corresponding device and the other device(s) of the document processing devices. The “corresponding” device corresponds to the specific one of the graphic user interfaces receiving input to the device menu options.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting image production device-related information to a remote service facility is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to transmit image production device-related information to a remote service facility, image production device-related information being at least one of registration information, diagnostic information, account information, copy count information, alert information, fault information, configuration information, and update information, receiving the image production device-related information, encoding the image production device-related information into one or more machine-readable markings, generating a paper user interface that includes the one or more machine-readable markings, receiving a transmission mode selection, and transmitting the paper user interface to the remote service facility using the selected transmission mode.

Abstract: In a mobile communication device having segregated workspaces respectively associated with a plurality of users, methods and systems are provided for confirming an authorized user in an appropriate account including a corresponding one of the segregated workspaces. Start-up processing of the device includes taking a picture of an authorized image of the authorized user with the device camera. Current activities of the device by the user are monitored relative to a predetermined set of device activities and usage rules. Certain activities are indicative of a change in user of the device from the authorized user. Upon detection of such a change, the current image of the current user of the device is acquired with the device camera. The current image is compared with the authorized image and if the comparison fails to detect a match, the current user is prompted to initiate a log-in process.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a convenient way for users to access segregated work spaces on mobile devices. A game-like multi-level interactive approach is used to prompt users for input to verify their identity. Multiple identity verification attributes can be collected at each level of interaction. Authentication is achieved when a settable level of user identification confidence is reached. This can potentially reduce the amount of interaction needed as compared to requiring a user to type in a long, cryptic password.

Abstract: A method for processing a print job includes: a) analyzing printer description language (PDL) image data for a print job; b) determining a raster image processor (RIP) orientation for the print job based at least in part on the analysis of the PDL image data, the RIP orientation being selected from a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation; and c) processing the PDL image data for each page of the print job to form raster image data for each page in the RIP orientation and storing the raster image data in the RIP orientation. A printing platform associated with the method includes a parser module, a controller module, a storage device, and a RIP module.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for text vectorization for bitmap images with reduced artificial discontinuities. Dominant points are identified in a bitmap character image. An initial curve is fitted to edge points of the character image in a vicinity of a selected dominant point. A set of boundary parameters in a vicinity of the selected dominant point are estimated based upon the initial curve. The selected dominant point is then classified as one of a sharp dominant point and a smooth dominant point based upon the boundary parameters or alternatively upon predefined classifications produced by an optical character recognition process. Curves are fitted between the selected dominant point and adjacent dominant points. The fitted curves maintain the estimated boundary parameters in the vicinity of smooth dominant points. A vectorized representation of the text character image based upon the fitted curves is produced as output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an options enablement sheet to activate options for an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to generate an options enablement sheet, receiving options enablement and image production device information, encoding the options enablement and image production device information into one or more machine-readable markings, generating an options enablement sheet that includes the one or more machine-readable markings, receiving a transmission mode selection, and transmitting the options enablement sheet to a user of the image production device using the selected transmission mode. The options enablement sheet may be received by a user and scanned by the image production device to activate the options.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an integrated multi-function device that is capable of both connecting to a wide area network via wired Ethernet or cellular connection and providing network connectivity to one or more devices within an internal network as part of a wireless mesh network. In some embodiments, the multi-function device may be an enhanced multi-function printing device, such as a network printer, scanner, copier, fax machine, or combination of such devices. The multi-function printing device may act as a gateway device by connecting to a WAN, such as the Internet. The multi-function printing device may further provide network access to other devices in a LAN, such as desktop and laptop computers, office telephones, cellular telephones, multimedia devices, and other printing devices, using a wireless protocol, such as the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Abstract: Methods and printing devices herein establish a current physical position of a printing device and then receive current physical position readings from different portable computing devices (when the portable computing devices or its users are physically interacting with the printing device). The portable computing devices each have a physical position locator. The method then processes the current physical position readings to refine the current physical position of the printing device.

Abstract: A method for secure print job management using machine-readable markings in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal to print a secure print job from a user, identifying the user, generating a machine-readable marking based on the identification of the user, storing the secure print job and the generated machine-readable marking, receiving a signal to release the secure print job, retrieving the generated machine-readable marking, scanning the user's machine-readable marking, determining if the information encoded in the user's machine-readable marking matches the information encoded in the generated machine-readable marking; wherein if it is determined that the information encoded in the user's machine-readable marking matches the information encoded in the generated machine-readable marking, printing the secure print job.

Abstract: A method and system for processing image data provides associated background metadata in a searchable format and reduces file size. MRC techniques are used to process input image data. It is known that the image data may be segmented to generate a background layer representing background attributes of the input image data. A background color value of the background layer is detected, and background metadata representing the color value is generated. The background metadata is associated with the image data (e.g., as a separate file, in the image header, etc.), thereby making the background metadata searchable and reducing the file size of the image data to be stored.

Abstract: A method for processing a print job includes: a) analyzing printer description language (PDL) image data for a print job; b) determining a raster image processor (RIP) orientation for the print job based at least in part on the analysis of the PDL image data, the RIP orientation being selected from a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation; and c) processing the PDL image data for each page of the print job to form raster image data for each page in the RIP orientation and storing the raster image data in the RIP orientation. A printing platform associated with the method includes a parser module, a controller module, a storage device, and a RIP module.