Abstract: Examples relate to throttling data access using a data porch. In some examples, an analysis engine is used to access memory and prepare a data response for a data request that is obtained from the data porch via a throttled data buffer. The data response is sent to the data porch via the throttled data buffer, where the throttled data buffer has a throttled data bandwidth that limits a data flow of data requests and data responses between the analysis engine and the data porch. In response to receiving the data response from the analysis engine via the throttled data buffer, the data porch is used to provide the data response to a networked device.

Abstract: Examples relate to throttling data access using a data porch. In some examples, an analysis engine is used to access memory and prepare a data response for a data request that is obtained from the data porch via a throttled data buffer. The data response is sent to the data porch via the throttled data buffer, where the throttled data buffer has a throttled data bandwidth that limits a data flow of data requests and data responses between the analysis engine and the data porch. In response to receiving the data response from the analysis engine via the throttled data buffer, the data porch is used to provide the data response to a networked device.

Abstract: A method for making an authenticating system for a package includes establishing a plurality of variable instruments on the package and depositing a product in the package after the instruments have been established thereon. The method also includes acquiring information from at least two of the plurality of instruments, and associating the acquired information with the product to render product-specific authentication data.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a document configuration includes the steps of generating a set of document configuration constraints that define an acceptable range of change in the look and feel of a document, the configuration of which is to be adjusted. The method includes modifying the document configuration while satisfying the set of document configuration constraints to minimize the change in the look and feel of the document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for market-based document layout selection use an automated auction or bartering system, i.e., an automated page layout system, to place objects within a page and automatically generate a page layout that is pleasing to a user. An object refers to any item that can be individually selected and manipulated, and may include shapes and pictures that appear on a display screen. The method and apparatus improve the quality of page layout in terms of user preferences, and optimize the speed at which various objects are arranged on a page in a pleasing manner. In addition, the resulting page layout may be consistent among pages because all pages are arranged according to a common algorithm.

Abstract: A barcode with enhanced visual quality may be used with an item such as a document. The barcode includes a background field having an embedded graphic. The background caries data related to the item. The embedded graphic may obscure some background data. A bar coding apparatus, system and a corresponding method involve two basic functions: encoding and decoding. The encoding function uses an encoding algorithm to generate the barcode. The graphic is then embedded onto the barcode and the thus-generated enhanced visually significant barcode is placed on the item. Decoding involves machine-reading the barcode using a decoding algorithm. The decoding algorithm can operate with or without an original bit map that was used to generate the graphic. The graphic may be enhanced in a manner that may make at least a portion of the encoded information within the graphic readable by a human.

Abstract: A system for the transaction of transactional amounts when using merchantable content on a medium includes a clearinghouse, an apparatus having a medium handier, a merchantable content receiver, a medium identifier, a content identifier, a medium use mechanism, and a transmitter. The medium handler accepts the medium and the merchantable content receiver accepts the merchantable content. The medium identifier reads a first identifier from the medium. The content identifier reads a second identifier from the merchantable content. The medium use mechanism incorporates and uses the merchantable content with the medium. The transmitter sends the first and second identifiers to the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse has a first account for a medium provider referenced by the first identifier and a second account for the content provider referenced by the second identifier.

Abstract: A consumable article includes a consumable item and a memory device. The memory device is organized to represent currency. Use of the consumable item causes the memory device to be reorganized. The consumable article is used in an apparatus that has a control circuit that can update the memory device to modify the amount of currency when the apparatus consumes the consumable item. The apparatus optionally includes a network interface coupled to the control circuit that interfaces to a clearinghouse for reconciling the amount of currency and use of the consumable item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of highlighted regions of a document. A document containing highlighted regions is scanned using a gray scale scanner. Morphology and threshold reduction techniques are used to separate highlighted and non-highlighted portions of the document. Having separated the highlighted and non-highlighted portions, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques can then be used to extract text from the highlighted regions.

Abstract: Machine readable electronic domain definitions of part or all of the electronic domain descriptions of hardcopy documents and/or of part or all of the transforms that are performed to produce and reproduce such hardcopies documents are encoded in codes that are printed on such documents, thereby permitting the electronic domain descriptions of such documents and/or such transforms to be recovered more robustly and reliably when the information carried by such documents is transformed from the hardcopy domain to the electronic domain.

Abstract: A forms recognition system having a method which assists an operator in creating an electronic template. The automated method would allow an operator to view an electronic bitmap of a master or blank form on a graphical display, the master form having bounded or semi-bounded regions depicting fields. An operator would display the bitmap, select a single point within a bounded or semi-bounded region on the bitmap with a pointing device, and the coordinates representing the bounded region would be automatically determined using the single point selected by the operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of highlighted regions of a document. A document containing highlighted regions is scanned using a gray scale scanner. Morphology and threshold reduction techniques are used to separate highlighted and non-highlighted portions of the document. Having separated the highlighted and non-highlighted portions, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques can then be used to extract text from the highlighted regions.

Abstract: A contact structure and method of formation of a contact structure for an electro-optic modulator. Linear electrodes on a modulator crystal are covered with a dielectric layer. The electrodes are contacted by way of one or more vias through the dielectric layer. Contact pads are formed over the vias so as to contact the electrode and extend over several adjacent electrodes, providing significantly greater contact area for a driver chip applied to the modulator crystal.

Abstract: A contact structure and method of formation of a contact structure for an electro-optic modulator. Linear electrodes on a modulator crystal are covered with a dielectric layer. The electrodes are contacted by way of one or more vias through the dielectric layer. Contact pads are formed over the vias so as to contact the electrode and extend over several adjacent electrodes, providing significantly greater contact area for a driver chip applied to the modulator crystal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of highlighted regions of a document. A document containing highlighted regions is scanned using a gray scale scanner. Morphology and threshold reduction techniques are used to separate highlighted and non-highlighted portions of the docment. Having separated the highlighted and non-highlighted portions, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques can then be used to extract text from the highlighted regions.

Abstract: An incoherent, optically uncoupled laser array for an electro-optic line modulator or a line printer or the like and comprising a plurality of spatial laser emitters characterized by having high power density and a uniform far field emission pattern. Structural means is provided in the array to permit the spacing of the emitters sufficiently close to provide a uniform far field emission pattern without permitting phaselocking between adjacent emitters of the array. The structural means may comprise geometric lateral and diagonal displacement of adjacent optical cavities of the laser elements. Alternatively, the structural means may comprise a plurality of spatially disposed isolation regions extending across the laser array and extending into the laser array a distance sufficient to optically isolate the optical cavities of the laser elements from one another and prevent optical coupling between adjacent laser elements.

Abstract: A marking array for use in an ionographic printer in which the transport fluid entrained ions presents a highly corrosive atmosphere to the modulation electrodes. Marking electrodes formed of an alloy of aluminum and copper wherein the copper is in the range of 0.5 to 4% exhibit a remarkably extended lifetime over unalloyed aluminum electrode.

Abstract: An improved modulation structure for the marking head of an ionographic marking aparatus for increasing the effective lifetime of the modulation electrodes in the highly corrosive atmosphere of such a device. A relative bias on the order of about 10% of the ion output cut-off bias is imposed across the ion modulation region in order to inhibit the deterioration effects of the ions on the modulation electrodes.