Abstract: A method of distributing mail includes electronically transmitting a print job, and a list of postal addresses of multiple recipients to which the print job is desired to be delivered, from a users location; providing a printer in a postal delivery vehicle; and printing out mail pieces from the print job, for at least some of the multiple recipients, on the printer in the postal delivery vehicle. Alternative methods and various systems for distributing mail are also provided.

Abstract: A printer that contains printer devices that use different versions of a protocol is configured with a translation layer in printer firmware that receives one version of a protocol command from a sending device, translates the protocol command to another version of the protocol command, and sends the translated command to a receiving device or devices. The translation layer includes a table of modified commands that identifies each command used in the versions of the protocol used by the printer devices. The table of modified commands is used to generate a translation table for each device. The translation table is used to find a command that is compatible with a receiving device when the receiving device uses a different version of the command than the sending device. If the command has not changed in the protocol versions used by the sending and receiving devices, then the translation facility is not invoked and print processing proceeds normally.

Abstract: The method of the invention enables assignment of addresses to devices in a system, wherein each assigned address allows each device to determine addresses of neighboring devices. The procedure used to assign the addresses employs a multi-order address field, with a number assigned to a respective reference device used as the value that is inserted into a high order position of the address field. In the next lower order position of the address field is inserted the number of the device that is immediately connected to the respective connector. Thereafter, the lower orders of the address field are completed in accord with the physical position of each device in relation to the higher order devices that are coupled to the respective connector. Devices thereafter can determine addresses of adjoining devices by either removing an order from their address or adding an order thereto with a predetermined value inserted.

Abstract: A features matching method and mechanism for use in a system wherein devices communicate through a protocol to request features to be performed by others of the devices and each device supports at least a subset of the feature set of the system. A first device stores information identifying the features supported by the first device and a match mechanism generates and transmits a declaration to second devices wherein each declaration identifies the features supported by the first device. The first device receives declarations from second devices wherein each declaration identifies the features supported by the second device and identifies the features supported in common by the first and second devices. The first device then monitors each request for a feature that is directed to a second device to determine whether the feature is supported by the second device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of identifying the location of interchangeable media handling devices relative to one another and relative to an image forming device. A data communication path is provided in parallel data communication with a plurality of media handling devices, and also in data communication with a processor. A power connection path is provided and configured to provide power sequentially to the media handling devices. The media handling devices are initially in an lower power state. Power is provided through the power connection path to the individual media handling devices to change the power state of the media handling devices from the lower power state to an higher power state. The power travels sequentially through the power connection path to each of the media handling devices, and the individual media handling devices send a signal to the processor after they receive power.

Abstract: A print medium is fed through a printer along a print path that can include one or more devices and a print engine. A plurality of path identifiers are used to identify the different print paths through the printer. According to one embodiment of the invention, a path identifier defines a print path from an input device through the print engine and possibly through an output device. According to another embodiment of the invention, path identifiers are separated into input paths and output paths. An input path identifier defines a print path from an input device to the print engine, while an output path identifier defines a print path from the print engine to an output device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically calibrating media feed timing operations for both internal media handling and for media transfers between coupled feeder and receiving devices. Each of the devices is equipped with a microprocessor and a read-only memory (ROM) for program storage. A stop location is determined for the media feed path of each receiving device. In addition, the media path of each feeder device is equipped with a media detection sensor near its exit. The distance between this sensor and the media path exit of the feeder device may be determined by manual measurement. In addition, each feeder device must "know" the speed at which it transports pages along the media path. Each feeder device is given the page stop specifications of any attached receiving devices over a communication bus at system boot-up.