Abstract: An embodiment of USB device comprises a lookup table in a fixed electronically readable medium comprising a plurality of product identification information entries. The USB device also has an electronically readable index that selects one of the plurality of product identification information entries, and the vendor identification information is stored in a location separate from the index.

Abstract: Various backgrounds, forms, or templates are scanned, features are extracted, and the features are stored in memory. When a composite image is scanned (image of interest plus part of background), features are extracted from the composite image. Features in the composite image are correlated to stored background features to identify which background is present. If necessary, background features from memory are shifted in two dimensions to accommodate displacement of the background. Features corresponding to the background are deleted from the features in the composite image. For forms and templates, features are used to identify the background, and then the information is directly extracted from the composite image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for displaying images, comprising the steps of receiving image location information provided by a user, retrieving an image through use of the image location information, and displaying the retrieved image with a display medium. With this method, images can be retrieved from substantially any location accessible over a network such as the Internet. Accordingly, the user need not be limited to accessing images from one particular source such as a particular vendor's web server.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus comprises a housing having a transparent platen provided thereon. A wiper mounted within the housing is moveable along a displacement path and contacts the back surface of the transparent platen as the wiper is moved along the displacement path. A drive system operatively associated with the wiper moves the wiper along the displacement path so that the wiper removes accumulated debris from the back surface of the transparent platen as the wiper is moved along the displacement path.

Abstract: A lookup table is fixed in electronically readable hardware such as a ROM inside of an integrated circuit responsible for controlling or interfacing with a USB bus. An index is read and used to pick an entry in the lookup table. That entry provides a Product ID that is combined with fixed vendor information to complete the identification information provided for in the USB specification.