Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for routing a data flow from a source node to a destination node in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). The present invention performs this function by first determining a quantitative value for each link at an individual node in the MANET, where the value represents the current quality level of each of the links. Next, the present invention broadcasts an advertisement for each of the links in the MANET by each of the nodes, the advertisement including the value determined above. After broadcasting the advertisement, routing tables are composed at each of the nodes based upon the advertisements. Each routing table includes the value determined above. After composing the routing tables, a route based upon the routing table (and the link values contained therein) is selecting by the source node to direct the data flow to the destination node.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining and reporting performance information on node-to-node data transfers, i.e., network hops, based on integrated capabilities in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), specifically extension headers. The performance of a (real-time) data flow is monitored between a source-destination pair by inserting specific information in an extension header of select data packets in the data flow. By initiating an extension header at a source client, and updating the extension header at any intermediate nodes along the source-destination path, a destination node can produce a detailed set of statistics relating to the current performance level of select nodes in a network based upon the reported data in the extension header. Additionally, data flow performance can be monitored on any desired network path or segment independent of particular flows on those paths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for routing a data flow from a source node to a destination node in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). The present invention performs this function by first determining a quantitative value for each link at a corresponding origination node, where the value represents the current performance level of the links. Next, the present invention broadcasts an advertisement for each of the links in the MANET by the corresponding origination nodes, the advertisement including the value determined above. After broadcasting the advertisements, routing tables are composed at each of the nodes based upon the advertisements. Each routing table is constructed taking into account the advertised links and their corresponding values. After composing the routing tables, packets are forwarded toward their respective destinations in accordance with the next hops indicated by the routing table.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for traffic engineering and fast protection of individual data flows using capabilities supported by IPv6. By utilizing IPv6 extension headers and flow labels a specific network route based upon quality of service (QoS) requirements of a data flow can be selected by a source node. Once a route meeting the QoS requirements of the data flow is selected, a source node can insert the route in an initial packet header and force the flow along the corresponding network path. The source and intermediate nodes cache the route and the flow label selected for a data flow. For subsequent packets, the flow label is used by intermediate nodes to determine the next hop along the route.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for routing a data flow from a source node to a destination node in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). The present invention performs this function by first determining desired service requirements for an individual data flow to be forwarded to a destination node. Next, the present invention broadcasts an advertisement for each of the links in the MANET by the corresponding origination nodes, the advertisement including a value indicating the current performance level of the link. After broadcasting the advertisements, routing tables are composed at each of the nodes based upon the advertisements. Each routing table is constructed taking into account the advertised links and their corresponding values. After composing the routing tables, packets are forwarded toward their respective destinations by utilizing the routing tables in such a manner that the desired service requirements are satisfied.

Abstract: In a network architecture, selective grooming is performed. In selective grooming, a low traffic node is coupled (a) directly to an other low traffic node via a high capacity trunk, and (b) to a high traffic node via a high capacity trunk such that only a portion of the client signals destined for the other low traffic node are groomed into the high capacity trunk to the high traffic node.

Abstract: A method and system to convert an electronic image file described in a page description language containing both contone and non-contone image objects to an intermediate binary format image. The intermediate format image separately encodes the contone and non-contone image objects. The contone image objects are edge-tagged. Prior to printing, the intermediate binary format page image is separated into the contone and non-contone image objects. The contone image objects are converted back to a contone form using the edge tagging to modify the filter weights of a digital filter. The non-contone image objects are converted to contone form by means of a pattern matching scheme.

Abstract: A joint “packet-optical” layer restoration mechanism protects against single, packet-layer router failures by managing network resources from both the packet layer and the optical transport layer in a synergistic manner. It reuses packet-layer router service-ports and/or transport-layer service wavelengths associated with optical switch-ports instead of reserving additional standby packet-layer router service-ports. It can reuse resources from primary paths that are unaffected by router failures and paths that exist for link-failure protection at the optical layer. Embodiments feature a modified node structure that includes both an IP router and a dynamically reconfigurable OXC, which dynamically establishes connectivity between IP-router ports and transport-layer optical fibers. The joint-layer router provides fine-granularity grooming at the IP layer and full-fledged wavelength networking via dynamic wavelength switching and/or wavelength translation at the optical layer.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering an image file for outputting a copy of an image represented by the image file. In some embodiments, rendering the image includes generating an output file, such as an output bitmap based on a predetermined halftone. In one embodiment, the system comprises an input module, and a processor. The input module obtains a page description of the image to be output. In some instances, the page description includes one or more level masks designed to impart corresponding transparency levels to one or more objects in the page description.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to methods and systems for improving the performance of an image processor color to color tile transformation by caching color tiles most recently calculated. A page of a print job is received. One or more color tiles based on colors found in a previous print job are pre-calculated and stored in a memory. A color present in the page is read. The color is compared to one or more pre-calculated color tiles. If the color does not match a pre-calculated color tile, a new color tile for the color is calculated, a pre-calculated color tile is removed from the memory, the new color tile is added to the memory, and the new color tile is used to print the page. If the color does match a pre-calculated color tile stored in the memory, the pre-calculated color tile is used to print the page.

Abstract: Traffic demands are routed between network elements so as to provide improved protection against network failures. A given traffic demand is routed from a first network element to a second network element, where the second network element is preferably either one of a set of dual-homed elements, or coupled to a dual-homed element, and may also be an element of a ring-type transport or a mesh-type transport. The second network element processes the traffic demand such that a copy of a signal associated with the demand is (i) retained at the second network element, while the signal is routed to at least one additional network element, or (ii) routed to at least one additional network element, while the signal is routed to at least one network element other than the additional network element. For example, in a multidrop connection implemented in accordance with the invention, a copy of the signal is “dropped” at the second network element and one or more additional network elements.

Abstract: A method of indexing images contained in scanned documents, wherein said scanned documents are stored in a repository, includes: for each document to be stored in the repository, dividing the document into a plurality of sections; scanning the plurality of sections; segmenting each scanned segment according to a predetermined coding model into image segment and non-image segments; associating each of the image segments with the document; and generating an index correlating the image segments with the document. The method may further include, at the time of image recall, displaying the index of image segments in a user interface; and responsive to selection of an image segment from the index, displaying the document information associated with the image segment in the user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for processing an image in a digital reprographic system that performs a first segmentation process upon a contone digital image to identify one of a plurality of image data types for each pixel in the contone digital image, generating tags, binarizing the contone digital image and storing the binary image as an intermediate format. This binary image is later reconstructed to generate a reconstructed contone digital image; and performing a second segmentation process upon the reconstructed contone digital image to identify areas of the reconstructed contone digital image with common image data types.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method for suppressing background inaccuracies in binary to grayscale image conversion. A binary image is converted to a grayscale image using a neighbor map. An image enhancement function is applied to the grayscale image to supress background inaccuracies in the grayscale image. Another embodiment is method for converting a binary pixel of a binary image to a grayscale pixel of a grayscale image and suppressing noise in the grayscale image using selective filtering of the binary image. Another embodiment is a method for converting a binary image to a first grayscale image and suppressing noise in the first grayscale image to produce a noise suppressed grayscale image using selective filtering of the grayscale image.

Abstract: A method of indexing images contained in scanned documents, wherein said scanned documents are stored in a repository, includes: for each document to be stored in the repository, dividing the document into a plurality of sections; scanning the plurality of sections; segmenting each scanned segment according to a predetermined coding model into image segment and non-image segments; associating each of the image segments with the document; and generating an index correlating the image segments with the document. The method may further include, at the time of image recall, displaying the index of image segments in a user interface; and responsive to selection of an image segment from the index, displaying the document information associated with the image segment in the user interface.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for transmitting a secure electronic fax or scan transmission report for a fax or scan job from a fax capable printer or a multifunctional device respectively. When the electronic confirmation (EConfirmation) option is selected, the machine sends an email comprising a status of the fax or scan job to the sender and a hyperlink. The sender then selects or “clicks” on the hyperlink, which connects to the machine Web (UI) Services. Web services automatically retrieves the job information and correctly displays all previously entered selections. The sender then simply verifies the information, makes any necessary changes and selects or “clicks” a button on the Web services to retransmit the fax or scan documents. In another embodiment, the sender is given an option to reformat a scan job by compressing or changing job parameters of the scan job.

Abstract: A method of processing an MRC image file, comprising at least a mask plane and a background plane, comprises determining that at least one of the mask plane and background plane is substantially empty; and effectively removing the substantially empty plane from the file for further processing.

Abstract: In a system for processing full-color image data, such as within a digital color printer or copier, a four-channel architecture is used. Three of the channels handle image data relating to primary color planes, such as CMY. In the other channel, values relating to the K value which goes with the CMY values for each pixel alternate with a B value, suitable for pure monochrome rendering of the pixel in the image. When it is desired to print or display the image in monochrome, the B values are isolated from the K values.

Abstract: A method and system reconstructs a contone image from a binary image by first tagging pixels to identify one of a multiplicity of image content types. The tag information and the pattern of bits surrounding the pixel to be converted to a contone value are used to reconstruct a contone image from a binary image. The pattern of bits in the neighborhood is used to generate a unique identifier. The unique identifier is used as the address for a lookup table with the contone value to be used wherein each lookup table corresponds to an image context type.

Abstract: In an input scanning system, as would be present in a digital copier, a “template” of similar visual elements or objects, such as logos and other designs, is detected among a series of scanned images. The common objects form a reference image against which subsequently-recorded input images are compared. If bounding boxes around objects in the input images match those in the reference image, the objects in the bounding boxes are attempted to be matched to those in the reference image. If objects in the input image and reference image match, then the image data from the input image is coded using a pointer to the corresponding object in the reference image.