Abstract: A method of providing email messages for a printing device includes attaching a memory module storing the email messages to a printing device consumable.

Abstract: Automatically reformatting rerouted production requests so that a production request directed to one production device can be rerouted to another device with little if any user intervention. A method embodying the present invention includes queuing a production request formatted for a primary production service. Upon detection of a redirection event for the primary production service, an available secondary production service is identified. The production request is reverted and then reformatted specifically for the secondary production service.

Abstract: A currency distribution system and method. In accordance with the invention, a first transaction is facilitated by which currency is transferred electronically between a first entity and a second entity, and whereby a first balance of currency is maintained by said second entity. A second transaction is facilitated by which at least a portion of the first balance of currency is transferred electronically between the second entity and a third entity. In particular, the second transaction is facilitated by a processor that includes code for ascertaining data with respect to the third entity, the data pertaining to goods or services unrelated to the currency, and providing a qualification in response thereto. A second processor included for enabling the second transaction in response to the qualification. A database is employed and a query is made to determine the qualification for the second transaction.

Abstract: Image forming devices, imaging methods, and methods of modifying a configuration of an image forming device are described.

Abstract: A method for configuring devices on a computer network. Configuration involves initiating a configuration session on a primary device causing the primary device to collect configuration session on a primary device causing the primary device to collect configuration logic for the primary device and one or more secondary devices. The primary device then generates a user interface having user accessible controls for selecting and returning configuration settings for the primary and secondary devices. Each selected configuration setting is then returned and applied to the primary or secondary device for which it is selected.

Abstract: Predetermined indicia are detected in a digital image that is formed by optical scanning. Alternatively, or in addition, a digital image can have a predefined insertion field. Input and/or an optically scanned image is substituted in the digital image for the predetermined indicia and/or for the predefined insertion field. The digital image having the substitution is rendered.

Abstract: Printer-based pre-ripping and caching of network documents allows an indication of a network document to be forwarded to a printer prior to a request to print the network document being received. This allows the network document to be converted to a print-ready format, and the converted document to be used for printing if a print request is subsequently received. Additionally, network documents can be cached at the printer (either in print-ready format or not in print-ready format) and the cached documents used for printing.

Abstract: A method for printing images. A plurality of proof sheets having a thumbnail representation of at least some of the images, and at least one user-markable field indicative of at least one corresponding image when marked are printed. User-marked ones of the proof sheets are optically scanned to detect marked ones of the at least one user-markable field. The marked fields are processed to determine at least one selected image associated with each scanned proof sheet. At least one selected image is printed after the user-marked proof sheets have been scanned.

Abstract: A digital image is composed at a digital transmitter device from a hardcopy source. The digital image includes an optically scanned image. Indicia is detected on the hardcopy image. A substitute is made for the indicia in the composed digital image. A modified rendering of the digital image is output.

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed emergence of a new family of imaging devices known as digital-image senders. These devices allow users to digitally scan a hardcopy document, and send the resulting digital image data via a communications network to other devices on the network. One problem that the present inventors recognized with these devices is that they do not provide a convenient way for users to add user-specific information to the images they send. Accordingly, the inventors teach, among other things, an exemplary method that includes providing image data, determining an identity of a user associated with a communications device, and defining a modified version of the image data, based on the determined identity of the user.

Abstract: A method for managing just-in-time print consumables for a print job can be performed on a computer server. The method includes estimating print consumable requirements for the print job. The method also includes ordering, over a network connection, the estimated print consumable requirements from a print consumable supplier such that the estimated print consumable requirements are received substantially close to a time that the print job is to be performed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic memory. In one embodiment, the magnetic memory comprises an array of memory cells and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive data, sort the received data to obtain unchanged data and ECC encoded data, and store the unchanged data and the ECC encoded data in the array of memory cells.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of electronically capturing usage information from a non-networked imaging device. The method includes generating a printed status report, including the usage information, from the non-networked imaging device, and optically scanning the printed status report to thereby produced an electronic copy of the optically scanned printed status report. The method further includes optically recognizing, from the electronic copy of the optically scanned printed status report, the usage information contained therein. The optically recognized usage information is then converted into digital usage information, and the digital usage information is saved to a computer readable memory device.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring a media imaging system, media imaging monitoring systems, articles of manufacture, and data signals are described. According to one aspect, a method of monitoring a media imaging system includes providing image data comprising a plurality of image jobs configured to cause a plurality of media imaging devices of the media imaging system to generate a plurality of hard images upon media, wherein the image jobs correspond to respective ones of the media imaging devices, reassigning at least one of the image jobs from one of the media imaging devices to correspond to another of the media imaging devices, and obtaining performance data regarding imaging operations of the media imaging devices with respect to imaging of hard images upon media according to the image data after the reassigning.

Abstract: Text that is adjacent to predetermined indicia is detected in a digital image. Alternatively, or in addition, a digital image can have text that is adjacent to a predefined insertion field. Text that is input and/or derived from an optically scanned image is substituted in the digital image for the predetermined indicia and/or for the predefined insertion field. The substituted text matches the font of text adjacent thereto in the digital image. The digital image having the substitution is rendered.

Abstract: A scan window apparatus for defining and identifying a selected scan window within an overall scanable surface of a scanning device. The scanable surface is defined by intersecting first and second edges. The scan window apparatus includes moveable position markers which can be moved along the first and second edges of the scanable surface to thereby define the selected scan window. A scan window illumination device is used to illuminate the selected scan window. The illumination device can be a light source directed towards the scanable surface, or a directed, focused light source to trace at least a portion of a perimeter which defines the scan window. The invention also provides for an optical scanning device having a platen, a scan window identification device allowing a user to define a selected scan window on the platen, and a scan window illumination device to illuminate the selected scan window.

Abstract: In data processing system, print jobs are printed on a selected printer utilizing the printer properties in effect for that printer at the time that the print job was spooled for printing. Typically, the printer prints with default printer properties. However, a user can temporarily override these defaults values by specifying temporary printer properties from within an application. A user-specifiable printer properties retention timer value allows the user to control how long temporary printer properties are to be in effect before being set back to their default value.

Abstract: A system and method for ordering a queue of print jobs in a high volume printing operation employing movable print heads. A plurality of print jobs are sorted and executed according to print head position specifications for one or more movable print heads such that the total number of print head adjustments is minimized.

Abstract: A system and method for printing multiple print jobs with a single command. The system typically includes a processor linked via a communications link to a plurality of printers. The processor includes a user interface that is configured to accommodate user selection of plural print jobs. The processor is further configured to communicate the plural print jobs to plural printers upon a single command. Moreover, the plural print jobs may be stored in the form of a print distribution list for subsequent use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing support services to users of programmable devices are provided. One of many possible methods for providing support services for a plurality of programmable devices associated with a plurality of users involves the steps of: receiving user-specific data associated with one of the programmable devices and the corresponding user; storing the user-specific data associated with the programmable device and the corresponding user; receiving notification that a replacement programmable device for the programmable device is needed by the user; and configuring the replacement programmable device based on the user-specific data associated with the programmable device and the corresponding user.