Abstract: A videoconferencing apparatus and method are implemented. Each participant in the videoconference has a representation within the system as a “stick figure,” or linear frame, object similar to “stick figure” objects in the computer animation art. A participant's linear frame object is endowed with the persona of the participant by wrapping the object with an outer texture generated from a preloaded image of the participant. Small tags placed at preselected locations on each participant are detected by the videoconferencing system, and each of the participants stick figures is animated in accordance with changes in positions as revealed by the tags.

Abstract: Barcodes can be produced by feeding reel-stock media and receiving a drive signal from a printing device. The media receives, exterior of the printing device, print imaging as a barcode pattern or barcode indicia corresponding to the drive signal. Barcode-bearing media is thereby produced externally of the printing device but making use of the printing device resources.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided which allows for significantly improved input/output (I/O) subsystem designs in all systems which include serialized I/O transactions such as so-called Express specification systems. Transaction control methodology is implemented to improve Express design requirements for Express devices such as an Express switch, Express-PCI bridge, endpoint, and root complex. This is accomplished by utilizing improved transaction ordering and state machine and corresponding buffer design and improved flow control credit methodology which enables improved processing for controlling transactions flowing through Express devices including Express switches and Express-PCI bridges. An Express-PCI/PCIX transition bridge design is also provided, along with the flow control credit methodology and implementation within the Express-PCI/PCIX bridge design to enable efficient interfacing between Express and legacy or existing PCI/PCIX systems.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting printhead-to-media spacing in a printer having a frame and a shiftable printhead-carrying carriage mounted on the frame for lateral movement relative to the frame, the apparatus comprising a first immovable mechanical contact actuator anchored to the frame and disposed beyond one end of a print-job range, and a first movable mechanical contact actuator movable with the carriage, positioned toward that side of the carriage which generally faces the first fixed actuator, and engageable with the first fixed actuator during movement of the carriage beyond the one end of the print-job range to cause a positional adjustment of the carriage which effects a change in printhead-to-media spacing.

Abstract: A printer with a media incising device operably secured thereto and a related method for using the printer is disclosed. The media control device is in communication with a printer controller that commands the media incising device to engage the media. The disclosed incising devices include either mechanical structures that physically contact the media, or an incising fluid ejector that ejects incising fluid onto the media. Accordingly, the printer allows both printing on the media and incising, such as the creation of score lines, perforations, embossing, cutting, and the like, of the media without removing the media from the printer or requiring the use of two different machines to do these different tasks.

Abstract: An automated fishing line jigger, comprising a rotatable member adapted for rotation-such that fishing line associated with the rotatable member is jigged as the rotatable member rotates. An electromagnet operatively connected to the rotatable member, the rotatable member having a first position and a second position such that in the first position the electromagnet is energized causing rotation in a first direction and in the second position gravity causes rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A pick mechanism includes a hinged pick arm which moves between a retracted position and a varying, operating position. The pick arm is anchored about a pivot axis and hinged along its length. Rotation of a pick roller along the arm while in contact with a media sheet induces a moment on the pick arm causing the pick arm to pivot and hinge. A first stop limits the pivoting motion. A second stop limits the hinging motion, Such pivoting and hinging is desirable to create an effective normal force enabling reliable picking of thick media sheets. Such motions are limited to prevent the pick roller from translating too far from a media separation ramp. If the pick roller translates too far, undesirable media buckling may occur during the pick operation.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided which allows for significantly improved input/output (I/O) subsystem designs in all systems which include serialized I/O transactions such as so-called Express specification systems. Transaction control methodology is implemented to improve Express design requirements for Express devices such as an Express switch, Express-PCI bridge, endpoint, and root complex. This is accomplished by utilizing improved transaction ordering and state machine and corresponding buffer design and improved flow control credit methodology which enables improved processing for controlling transactions flowing through Express devices including Express switches and Express-PCI bridges. An Express-PCI/PCIX transition bridge design is also provided, along with the flow control credit methodology and implementation within the Express-PCI/PCIX bridge design to enable efficient interfacing between Express and legacy or existing PCI/PCIX systems.

Abstract: In a print system including a host communicating with an inkjet print apparatus, a processor executes an inkjet print driver. The driver manages print job communication to the inkjet print apparatus. The print job includes print data and at least one print control parameter. The inkjet print apparatus includes a controller, an inkjet print source which records the print data onto a media, and a mechanism which adjusts source-to-media spacing. The controller responds to a first parameter of the at least one print control parameter to control setting of the source-to-media spacing by the adjusting mechanism for the print job.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided which allows for significantly improved input/output (I/O) subsystem designs in all systems which include serialized I/O transactions such as so-called Express specification systems. Transaction control methodology is implemented to improve Express design requirements for Express devices such as an Express switch, Express-PCI bridge, endpoint, and root complex. This is accomplished by utilizing improved transaction ordering and state machine and corresponding buffer design and improved flow control credit methodology which enables improved processing for controlling transactions flowing through Express devices including Express switches and Express-PCI bridges. An Express-PCI/PCIX transition bridge design is also provided, along with the flow control credit methodology and implementation within the Express-PCI/PCIX bridge design to enable efficient interfacing between Express and legacy or existing PCI/PCIX systems.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided which allows for significantly improved input/output (I/O) subsystem designs in all systems which include serialized I/O transactions such as so-called Express specification systems. Transaction control methodology is implemented to improve Express design requirements for Express devices such as an Express switch, Express-PCI bridge, endpoint, and root complex. This is accomplished by utilizing improved transaction ordering and state machine and corresponding buffer design and improved flow control credit methodology which enables improved processing for controlling transactions flowing through Express devices including Express switches and Express-PCI bridges. An Express-PCI/PCIX transition bridge design is also provided, along with the flow control credit methodology and implementation within the Express-PCI/PCIX bridge design to enable efficient interfacing between Express and legacy or existing PCI/PCIX systems.

Abstract: A printer with a media feed apparatus has a media tray with a surface for supporting a media stack. A wave drive mechanism has a pair of wheels, a belt looped around said wheels, and a plurality of freewheeling rollers. Each one of the freewheeling rollers has an axis attached to and moving wit the belt. At least one of the plurality of freewheeling rollers makes contact wit the top sheet in the tray while the belt moves the axis in a feed direction to shift the top sheet in the feed direction, A controller controls a bias force of the wave drive mechanism against the top sheet during the time that the wave drive mechanism moves the sheet.

Abstract: In a print system including a host communicating with an inkjet print apparatus, a processor executes an inkjet print driver. The driver manages print job communication to the ink jet print apparatus. The print job includes print data and at least one print control parameter. The inkjet print apparatus includes a controller, an inkjet print source which records the print data onto a media, and a mechanism which adjusts source-to-media spacing. The controller responds to a first parameter of the at least one print control parameter to control setting of the source-to-media spacing by the adjusting mechanism for the print job.

Abstract: A printer with a media feed apparatus bas a media tray with a surface for supporting a media stack. A wave drive mechanism has a pair of wheels, a belt looped around said wheels, and a plurality of freewheeling rollers. Each one of the freewheeling rollers has an axis attached to and moving with the belt. At least one of the plurality of freewheeling rollers makes contact with the top sheet in the tray while the belt moves the axis in a feed direction to shift the top sheet in the feed direction. A controller controls a bias force of the wave drive mechanism against the top sheet during the time that the wave drive mechanism moves the sheet.

Abstract: In a print system including a host communicating with an inkjet print apparatus, a processor executes an inkjet print driver. The driver manages print job communication to the inkjet print apparatus. The print job includes print data and at least one print control parameter. The inkjet print apparatus includes a controller, an inkjet print source which records the print data onto a media, and a mechanism which adjusts source-to-media spacing. The controller responds to a first parameter of the at least one print control parameter to control setting of the source-to-media spacing by the adjusting mechanism for the print job.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting to different selectable values the printhead-to-media spacing in a printer having a frame and a reversibly, laterally-shiftable printhead-carrying carriage. The carriage is mounted on the frame both for adjusting by rocking to establish different such spacing values, and is also mounted for the usual lateral movement during a printing operation. One or more mechanical actuators that move with the carriage engage one or more associated stationary actuators effectively anchored to the frame in the printer under certain circumstances with movement of the carriage laterally beyond one or both of the opposite ends of its usual print-job range. Movable and stationary actuator interengagements create rotation of a rotatable structure that is carried on the carriage.

Abstract: A pick mechanism includes a hinged pick arm which moves between a retracted position and a varying, operative position. The pick arm is anchored about a pivot axis and hinged along its length. Rotation of a pick roller along the arm while in contact with a media sheet induces a moment on the pick arm causing the pick arm to pivot and hinge. A first stop limits the pivoting motion. A second stop limits the hinging motion. Such pivoting and hinging is desirable to create an effective normal force enabling reliable picking of thick media sheets. Such motions are limited to prevent the pick roller from translating too far from a media separation ramp. If the pick roller translates too far, undesirable media buckling may occur during the pick operation.

Abstract: Barcodes can be produced by feeding reel-stock media and receiving a drive signal from a printing device. The media receives, exterior of the printing device, print imaging as a barcode pattern or barcode indicia corresponding to the drive signal. Barcode-bearing media is thereby produced externally of the printing device but making use of the printing device resources.

Abstract: A printer having a media transport mechanism defining a media path. The path extends from a media supply past a print engine. A media alignment element moves between an extended position intersecting the path between the supply and the engine, and a retracted position away from the path. The printer may include a pair of rollers between the supply and the alignment element and encompassing the path, so that the sheet may be gripped by the rollers at a position adjacent the alignment to preserve the alignment by the element. The rollers may retract the sheet from the alignment element, which may move aside from the media path, so that the media may be fed toward a print engine.

Abstract: A storage router and related method are presented for combining multiple Fibre Channel frames together into a single IP datagram for tunneling transmission over an Internet protocol network. The storage router operates by storing incoming Fibre Channel frames in a Fibre Channel frame buffer. When there is sufficient data in the buffer, multiple Fibre Channel frames are taken from the buffer and combined into a single IP datagram. The number of Fibre Channel frames to be combined can be established through a variety of tests, including total bytes of data, number of frames, or through a time-out mechanism. The network layer then fragments the datagram into data link level frames, such as 1500 byte Ethernet frames. When the IP datagram arrives at the final destination, the segmented IP datagram is reconstructed, and the multiple Fibre Channel frames are extracted from the IP datagram and passed on to the recipient Fibre Channel network.