Abstract: A system is provided for scanning batch-type documents containing indicia on either a single side or on two sides of each document sheet. Misfeeds through a scanning device are identified by comparison of an anticipated number of pages with an actual number of scanned pages. Similar misfeeds may be identified by comparison of first and second series of pages in two-sided documents. Automatic collating of scanned pages is then performed where desired. The automatic collating may be based upon simple interleaving of pages, or upon recognition of page identifiers, such as page numbers in common or anticipated regions of the page. The scanning, analysis and collating operations may be followed by other processing steps, including transmission of facsimiles, printing, copying, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively scanning or encoding a desired region of a document. The desired region is identified via scannable indicia on a control form. The region may be outlined by a border preprinted on the form or traced by a user. Preset selectable regions may be identified by codes or other textual descriptions on the form. The form is scanned and the instructions selected by the user are encoded. The selected region is identified and scanned. Only the selected region is scanned, or a larger region is scanned and extraneous data not corresponding to the selected region is eliminated from the resulting data set. The technique permits elimination of unwanted portions of a document automatically, the reduction in scanned file size, and straightforward handling of batch scanning tasks in which selected portions of documents are to be scanned and processed.

Abstract: A scanner device, e.g. a multi function peripheral device incorporating scan, copy and print functions, and a method of operation, in which the device is user operable to directly establish a communication link with a network server having email receive and transmit functionality, e.g. an internet server, and to transmit to the network server over the transmission link, message header data including at least an email address of a sender and of at least one intended recipient; accompanied by the scanned content of a source document scanned by the device, to the network server for transmission to the or each recipient. No intermediate processor computer processing is involved in transmitting the scanned data from the scanner device to the network server.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively scanning or encoding a desired region of a document. The desired region is identified via scannable indicia on a control form. The region may be outlined by a border preprinted on the form or traced by a user. Preset selectable regions may be identified by codes or other textual descriptions on the form. The form is scanned and the instructions selected by the user are encoded. The selected region is identified and scanned. Only the selected region is scanned, or a larger region is scanned and extraneous data not corresponding to the selected region is eliminated from the resulting data set. The technique permits elimination of unwanted portions of a document automatically, the reduction in scanned file size, and straightforward handling of batch scanning tasks in which selected portions of documents are to be scanned and processed.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively scanning or encoding a desired region of a document. The desired region is identified via scannable indicia on a control form. The region may be outlined by a border preprinted on the form or traced by a user. Preset selectable regions may be identified by codes or other textual descriptions on the form. The form is scanned and the instructions selected by the user are encoded. The selected region is identified and scanned. Only the selected region is scanned, or a larger region is scanned and extraneous data not corresponding to the selected region is eliminated from the resulting data set. The technique permits elimination of unwanted portions of a document automatically, the reduction in scanned file size, and straightforward handling of batch scanning tasks in which selected portions of documents are to be scanned and processed.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for programming instructions into a system including a scanning device. The instructions are defined by machine and human readable indicia on an instruction support sheet. A document is associated with the instruction support sheet and may be processed with the instructions. Desired instructions may be selected by annotations on the instruction sheet. The instruction sheet is then scanned to encode the selections. Data sets corresponding to the composition of the instruction sheet are accessed to interpret the selected instructions. Based upon the selected instructions, operations are performed on the document. The operations may include scanning, transmission of facsimiles, transmission of electronic messages, archival storage, and so forth. The instruction sheet may be composed and configured in accordance with needs of individual users. The scanning device may be associated with a computer system or may be a stand-alone device.

Abstract: A facsimile machine provides firmware to remotely activate and deactivate fax forwarding. The firmware enables a user to remotely activate or deactivate fax forwarding through an email, fax, or a telephone. The facsimile machine may be set by the user to activate and deactivate fax forwarding at a predetermined activation time and a predetermined deactivation time. If fax forwarding with local printing is activated, the facsimile machine locally prints a fax after the fax is forwarded. The facsimile machine may be a multifunctional peripheral.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning batch-type documents containing indicia on either a single side or on two sides of each document sheet. Misfeeds through a scanning device are identified by comparison of an anticipated number of pages with an actual number of scanned pages. Similar misfeeds may be identified by comparison of first and second series of pages in two-sided documents. Automatic collating of scanned pages is then performed where desired. The automatic collating may be based upon simple interleaving of pages, or upon recognition of page identifiers, such as page numbers in common or anticipated regions of the page. The scanning, analysis and collating operations may be followed by other processing steps, including transmission of facsimiles, printing, copying, and so forth.

Abstract: A system for seamless distributed job control between a multifunction peripheral and a host. A host, such as a personal computer, is linked with one or more multifunction peripherals. Each multifunction peripheral has at least scanning and printing capability. However, the peripherals do not require extensive memory or processing capability, because the processing and storage of data is accomplished by the host. A user potentially may operate the peripheral through a peripheral interface or through a user interface of the host.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning batch-type documents containing indicia on either a single side or on two sides of each document sheet. Misfeeds through a scanning device are identified by comparison of an anticipated number of pages with an actual number of scanned pages. Similar misfeeds may be identified by comparison of first and second series of pages in two-sided documents. Automatic collating of scanned pages is then performed where desired. The automatic collating may be based upon simple interleaving of pages, or upon recognition of page identifiers, such as page numbers in common or anticipated regions of the page. The scanning, analysis and collating operations may be followed by other processing steps, including transmission of facsimiles, printing, copying, and so forth.

Abstract: A computer system provides a communication link to a display monitor so as to control the display of not only computer signals but of other signals such as television signals. By providing this link the additional power of the computer can be used to provide a storage of preferred settings for the television/display monitor depending upon signal sources, time of day or the like. This provides a more versatile display. Further data contained within a received data stream such as from a web page or the like may inherently control functions of the television display.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for providing video processing is disclosed. Within the system and the apparatus there is an analog video signal input means, which is connected to a video signal output means, which are both coupled to a video resolution compensation means. The analog video signal input means provides decoding of a first signal type received by the input means. The first signal type operates at a first refresh rate. The video signal output means receives the decoded first signal type and converts the decoded first signal type into a second signal type, which has a second refresh rate. This second signal type typically is compatible for viewing on a display incompatible with the first signal type. Then, the video resolution compensation means modifies the second refresh rate associated with the decoded second signal type so as to be compatible with the first refresh rate and displayable on the video monitor.

Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus for use in a computer system is disclosed. The multiplexing system is typically designed for multiplexing various sources of video signal inputs for subsequent processing. The multiplexing apparatus includes at least one analog video input connector, but preferably has more than one, a programmable signal connector, and a plurality of video output connectors. The programmable signal connector couples to the analog video input connector and selectively multiplexes the analog video input signal. The plurality of video output connectors are further coupled to the programmable signal connector, and they receive the multiplexed video signal from the analog video input connector for processing through at least a first video stream. Additional video streams are also possible for processing for a single input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the number of input/output ports of a computer system while maintaining the form factor of the computer chassis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first system or motherboard mounted within the computer chassis. The first edge of a riser board is connected to the motherboard such the riser board extends generally perpendicular to the motherboard. The second edge of the riser board is connected to a second system board. The second system board is mounted to a sub panel and includes multiple input/output connectors positioned at both the front of the chassis and the rear of the chassis. A front bezel, having openings corresponding to the input/output connectors, is placed over the front of the chassis.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis having a generally planar floor plate; a first generally planar motherboard having circuitry thereon mounted on the floor plate; at least one riser board connected to the first motherboard to extend generally orthogonally upwardly therefrom, the riser board having an upper edge oriented generally parallel to and above the plane of the first motherboard, and being provided with electrical circuit contacts along the upper edge; and a second generally planar motherboard connected to and at least partly supported by the riser board, the second motherboard being positioned adjacent the upper edge of the riser board, the second motherboard having circuitry thereon electrically connected to the electrical circuit contacts along the upper edge of the riser board.

Abstract: A defect detection system for classifying defects in reticles (such as used in the manufacture of integrated circuit wafers) is described. An inspection unit, scanning the reticle in real time, compares it with the correct form and inputs signals representing each defect and its position in a store. The stored defects are then used to direct the inspection unit to inspect each defect more slowly. The inspection unit classifies each defect as either being an "excess metal" or a "missing metal" defect, and corresponding signals are stored in respective additional stores. The signals stored in these stores are then further processed and compared with the desired form of the reticle so as to classify the "excess metal" defects as either being a "pin spot" defect, an "extension" defect or a "bridge-type" defect. Similarly, the "missing metal" defects are classified as either being a "pinhole" defect an "intrusion" defect or a "break-type" defect. A size measuring unit measures the size of each defect.

Abstract: The invention is for comparing a master image, stored by means of binary signals, with an image under test, which is stored by means of corresponding binary signals. Both sets of binary signals are fed out into an EXCLUSIVE OR gate. This will therefore produce output signals defining any differences between the image under test and the master image. In addition, however, the gate output binary signals due to any misalignment or digitization errors between the images stored in the two stores. To reduce or eliminate the latter, the master image is fed into an edge detector which produces binary signals representing a peripheral edge region or "frame" around the master image. This peripheral edge region is "dilated" (that is, the peripheral edge region is thickened to a predetermined extent). The signals representing the stored and dilated edge region are inverted and ANDed with the output of the EXCLUSIVE OR gate.

Abstract: A decorative simulated ceramic tile comprises a substrate having a surface coated with an under-coat effective to provide a colored, printable base; an inked layer comprising a layer of colored ink lines of a silicone-containing drying ink forming a printed pattern on said printable base, said printed pattern being clearly visible; and a coloring pigment-containing top coat of a hard resinous, film-forming material; said top coat having a variable height thickness defining a contour of valleys, hills and plains, wherein the intensity of color in the top coat varies with the variation in the contour, the said valleys occurring over said ink lines such that the color of the ink is not obscured, and the hills lying adjacent said ink lines, said color in the top coat providing a contrast with the color in the under-coat and with the color in the printed pattern.

Abstract: A decorative simulated ceramic tile comprises a substrate having a surface coated with an under-coat effective to provide a colored, printable base; an inked layer comprising a layer of colored ink lines of a silicone-containing drying ink forming a printed pattern on said printable base, said printed pattern being clearly visible; and a coloring pigment-containing top coat of a hard resinous, film-forming material; said top coat having a variable height thickness defining a contour of valleys, hills and plains, wherein the intensity of color in the top coat varies with the variation in the contour, the said valleys occurring over said ink lines such that the color of the ink is not obscured, and the hills lying adjacent said ink lines, said color in the top coat providing a contrast with the color in the under-coat and with the color in the printed pattern.