Abstract: Systems and methods use a supporting arm having a first end and a second end, and a program of scanning instructions readable by a computerized processor. The first end of the supporting arm is connected to a secondary device. The second end of the supporting arm holds a portable device comprising a camera. The camera has a field of view within which images are captured. The portable device maintains the scanning instructions. The second end of the supporting arm is positioned to hold the camera in a location, relative to the secondary device, to maintain the surface of the secondary device within the field of view of the camera. The camera of the portable device obtains images of objects placed on the surface of the secondary device when the portable device is held by the portable device holder.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of dynamically focusing an LED print bar or printhead using piezoelectric stacks. The stack is mounted on either end of the LED bar to adjust the focus of the bar against the photoreceptor surface. The piezo level could be either controlled through active feedback of some description such as optical or electrical, or as a service or manufacturing input. With electronic control, focus adjustments can be made by the machine, and dynamically, if needed. In one embodiment, a flextensional cell structure is employed to amplify the movement of the piezo stack to move the LED bar in the order of >50 microns closer or away from the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for calibrating a scanning system. The scanning system comprises a light-transmissive platen defining a top surface and a bottom surface, a controller, a document handler, and a scanner bar for recording image data from documents at various document heights. In one embodiment, the calibration method proposes the use of two calibration strips in a document scanning system that has both platen scanning and Constant Velocity Transport (CVT) scanning modes. In another embodiment, a scanner is disclosed with a dual calibration target or a single calibration target that is manufactured with two (2) different heights to correct the illumination profile at the CVT scanning height or at the platen scanning height.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for compensating for side 1 to side 2 differences in a document scanning device. In one embodiment, the present method involves selecting at least one solid area patch printed in at least one reference color of a color space. The scan head of side 1 scans the patch to capture a first set of color values. The scan head of side 2 scans the same patch to capture a second set of color values. A regression method generates a coefficient matrix which minimizes a ?E color difference metric between the first and second sets of color values. An image processing module associated with the side 2 scanner is programmed with the coefficient matrix and uses the coefficient matrix to adjust a color response of the side 2 scanner to compensate for side 1 to side 2 differences.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for printing a cancellation mark on a ticket using inks having thermo-reactive properties. One embodiment of the present method for printing a cancellation mark onto a ticket involves the following. A ticket, which has a security mark printed thereon, is received into a slot of a housing of a device which contains therein an inkjet printhead. The received ticket portion comes into proximity with an inkjet printhead configured to print a cancellation mark on the ticket using the thermo-reactive ink. The cancellation mark is printed to at least partially overlap the security mark. In one embodiment, a user activates a switch which causes the inkjet printhead to print the cancellation mark on the ticket upon the ticket having been inserted into the slot. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function inkjet print system which prints with inks having thermo-reactive properties and which can further process media printed with thermo-reactive inks such that the various properties of the inks can be activated. One embodiment of the present print device comprises at least one thermo-changing element which resides in proximity to a transport path along which the media travels. The thermo-changing element effectively changing a temperature T of the media to: T?TL or T?TH, as desired. In various embodiments, a sensor is used for sensing a temperature of the media. A temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path and downstream of the thermo-changing element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a range of TL<<T<<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray. Various embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The approach also involves a causing a plurality of beads that include at least one material configured to be attracted to a magnetic strip that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of movement of the toner between a first end and a second end of the vessel. The plurality of beads, when attracted to the magnetic strip, cooperate with helical features of the vessel and the internal surface of a body section of the vessel to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction from the first end of the vessel to the second end of the vessel as the vessel is rotated.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function system which receives media printed with ink having thermo-reactive properties and which processes the received media such that the ink becomes visually transparent. One embodiment of the present system comprises an input tray for receiving printed media into a transport path along which the media travels. A heating element resides in proximity to that transport path for changing a temperature T of the media to T?TH. In various embodiments, a temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path downstream of the heating element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a temperature range TL<<T<<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray such that the processed media is no longer hot to the touch. A user interface enables a user to perform various functions. Embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The approach also involves a causing a plurality of beads that include at least one material configured to be attracted to a magnetic strip that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of movement of the toner between a first end and a second end of the vessel. The plurality of beads, when attracted to the magnetic strip, cooperate with helical features of the vessel and the internal surface of a body section of the vessel to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction from the first end of the vessel to the second end of the vessel as the vessel is rotated.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for compensating for side 1 to side 2 differences in a document scanning device. In one embodiment, the present method involves selecting at least one solid area patch printed in at least one reference color of a color space. The scan head of side 1 scans the patch to capture a first set of color values. The scan head of side 2 scans the same patch to capture a second set of color values. A regression method generates a coefficient matrix which minimizes a ?E color difference metric between the first and second sets of color values. An image processing module associated with the side 2 scanner is programmed with the coefficient matrix and uses the coefficient matrix to adjust a color response of the side 2 scanner to compensate for side 1 to side 2 differences.

Abstract: Provided is an interactive control device and system including an integrated display. According to one exemplary embodiment, the control device includes a collimated optical fiber optically coupled to a conventional LCD screen including a control image, the control image is projected to a remote face of the optical fiber for viewing by a user. In addition, a tactile control integrated with the collimated optical fiber provided the user with the ability to control a function associated with the control image, whereby the control image dynamically changes based on the user's movement of the tactile control.

Abstract: A selective street light control system includes a module having a lamp and being configured to receive a light sensor connected to a street light. The module may be configured to cause the lamp to illuminate to modulate the light sensor. The street light may be controlled based on the light sensor, and the when the light sensor is modulated by the lamp of the module, the street light is also controlled by the module. The module is a self-contained unit and that may advantageously be easily and cost effectively retrofitted to an existing installation without the need for expensive re-wiring of the existing installation.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus and method includes an optical scanner, at least one movable carriage associated with the optical scanner, and a point sensor that rides the movable carriage to measure a slow scan document width associated with a document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor moves in a slow scan direction with respect to the document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor also includes a single moving size sensor that improves a resolution by which a size associated with the document is determinable.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function system which receives media printed with ink having thermo-reactive properties with the ink being visually transparent on that media, and which processes that media such that the ink becomes visually perceptible. One embodiment of the present system comprises an input tray for receiving printed media into a transport path along which the media travels. A cooling element resides in proximity to that transport path for changing a temperature T of the media to T?TL. A temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path downstream of the cooling element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a temperature range TL<T<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray. A user interface enables a user to perform various functions. Various embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function system which receives media printed with ink having thermo-reactive properties and which processes the received media such that the ink becomes visually transparent. One embodiment of the present system comprises an input tray for receiving printed media into a transport path along which the media travels. A heating element resides in proximity to that transport path for changing a temperature T of the media to T?TH. In various embodiments, a temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path downstream of the heating element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a temperature range TL<<T<<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray such that the processed media is no longer hot to the touch. A user interface enables a user to perform various functions. Embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for printing a cancellation mark on a ticket using inks having thermo-reactive properties. One embodiment of the present method for printing a cancellation mark onto a ticket involves the following. A ticket, which has a security mark printed thereon, is received into a slot of a housing of a device which contains therein an inkjet printhead. The received ticket portion comes into proximity with an inkjet printhead configured to print a cancellation mark on the ticket using the thermo-reactive ink. The cancellation mark is printed to at least partially overlap the security mark. In one embodiment, a user activates a switch which causes the inkjet printhead to print the cancellation mark on the ticket upon the ticket having been inserted into the slot. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function inkjet print system which prints with inks having thermo-reactive properties and which can further process media printed with thermo-reactive inks such that the various properties of the inks can be activated. One embodiment of the present print device comprises at least one thermo-changing element which resides in proximity to a transport path along which the media travels. The thermo-changing element effectively changing a temperature T of the media to: T?TL or T?TH, as desired. In various embodiments, a sensor is used for sensing a temperature of the media. A temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path and downstream of the thermo-changing element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a range of TL<<T<<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray. Various embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function system which receives media printed with ink having thermo-reactive properties with the ink being visually transparent on that media, and which processes that media such that the ink becomes visually perceptible. One embodiment of the present system comprises an input tray for receiving printed media into a transport path along which the media travels. A cooling element resides in proximity to that transport path for changing a temperature T of the media to T?TL. A temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path downstream of the cooling element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a temperature range TL<T<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray. A user interface enables a user to perform various functions. Various embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a light guide having a light source that is configured to emit light along a length of the light guide. The light guide further includes outcoupling zones affixed to a rear portion of the light guide, each zones affixed a predetermined distance from each other zone, which are configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted light. The light guide also includes a first diffuser that corresponds to a front portion of the light guide, and which operates to diffuse emitted light exiting the front portion of light guide. The illuminator further includes a secondary diffuser that is located a predetermined distance from the front portion of the light guide forming an air gap there between. The secondary diffuser is configured to further diffuse the at least a portion of the emitted light diffused by the first diffuser after passage through the air gap.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus and method includes an optical scanner, at least one movable carriage associated with the optical scanner, and a point sensor that rides the movable carriage to measure a slow scan document width associated with a document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor moves in a slow scan direction with respect to the document scanned by the optical scanner. The point sensor also includes a single moving size sensor that improves a resolution by which a size associated with the document is determinable.