Abstract: A slot scanner, for generating a scanned electronic image of a document, comprises a housing with a slot configured for manually feeding the document through the slot, so that feed mechanisms are not necessary. The slot extends completely through the housing and has first and second openings. The slot defines an interior surface of the housing. The following components are positioned on the interior surface: an image sensor extending over substantially the entire length of the slot, a navigational sensor, and an illuminator positioned proximate to the image and navigational sensors. The scanner includes an image processor enabled to track movement of the document and to generate an electronic image of the document based on data from the image and navigational sensors. A method is described for removing image distortion artifacts from the image data, arising from the non-uniform way in which the document may be moved through the slot. This method utilizes data from the navigational sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for attaching a cover to a text body to create bound documents with floating and attached spines are described. In some embodiments, a solid pressure sensitive adhesive film is applied between a cover and the side hinge areas of a text body, and a cover is bound to the side hinge areas of the text body with pressure. A solid pressure sensitive adhesive tape may be dispensed from an adhesive dispenser that includes a plug-in cartridge housing, a supply spool, and a take-up spool. In other embodiments, an adhesive sheet that includes a hot melt adhesive film and a backing is applied to the text body, with the hot melt adhesive film in contact with the side hinge areas and the spine of the text body. The hot melt adhesive is exposed in areas corresponding to the side hinge areas of the text body for attaching the cover to the text body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera capturing technique for documents. In one embodiment, a method for a digital camera capturing technique includes determining an orientation of an object (e.g., a document) relative to an optical axis of the digital camera, and determining a distance of the object from the digital camera. The method also includes determining a planarity of the object (e.g., a curl of the document). The method further includes projecting a pattern on the object, and detecting the projected pattern, which is then processed to determine the orientation of the object relative to the optical axis of the digital camera, the distance of the object from the digital camera, and the planarity of the object.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are loaded, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are loaded, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect of the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are located, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding sheet material, including a fold blade, two fold rollers, a pinch foot for clamping against the fold blade, and drive means for moving at least one of the fold blade and the fold rollers into operable communication with one another, where each of the fold rollers rotates about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fold blade.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanner accessory which is operationally supported by a wider-purpose wireless handheld communications device. The communications device may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a combined PDA/cellular phone, or a similar device that enables wireless communications. The scanner accessory is adapted for freehand scanning and includes an image sensor, at least one navigator, and data transfer circuitry that is compatible with exchanging information with the communications device, including outgoing captured image information and incoming scan control information for controlling scanning operations by the scan accessory. Simultaneous with capturing image information by the image sensor, the navigator tracks the position of the image sensor relative to a document being scanned, so that the image information can be “position-tagged” to form an electronic image for display at the communications device.

Abstract: A hole-punching process for a sheet-wise booklet maker, including a hole punching device, a clamp, and a drive system. While a folded booklet sheet is being held stationary on its leading side, the drive system advances the trailing side of the folded sheet, thereby forcing the folded edge of the sheet into a hole punching device. The operation of the drive system is based on sheet information associated with the folded sheet, which includes information such as the order number of the folded sheet within the to-be-assembled booklet and the accumulated thickness of other sheets to be positioned within the folded sheet. Position information is also determined, indicating the instantaneous distance between the folded edge of the sheet with a hole punch in the hole punching device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for binding a text body are described. A multi-function sheet binder is configured to heat a preformed solid hot melt adhesive to a melting temperature, form the melted adhesive by pressing the melted adhesive into a spine of a text body and folding down edges of the melted adhesive into contact with the text body, and actively cool the formed adhesive. A spot heater is configured to heat one or more localized areas of a solid hot melt adhesive to a temperature sufficient to tack the hot melt adhesive to a text body spine. An adhesive former is configured to press a localized region of a preformed heated solid hot melt adhesive into a spine of a text body and to fold down edge regions of the preformed solid hot melt adhesive into contact with the text body.

Abstract: A system for folding sheet material, including a fold blade, a fold roller, and a driver for moving at least one of the fold blade and the fold roller along a first path into operative communication with one another. The operative communication causes displacement of the fold roller along a longitudinal axis of the fold blade.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device for identifying recording media in a printer. The invention utilizes fine structure of the media revealed by illumination from one or more directions to distinguish among different kinds of plain papers, coated papers, such as glossy papers, and transparency films. Multiple light sources at different incidence and/or orientation angles apply light on the test surface, and scattered light is converted into signals and then analyzed. Various metric and analysis techniques can be applied to the signals to determine the media type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for binding a text body are described. A multi-function sheet binder is configured to heat a preformed solid hot melt adhesive to a melting temperature, form the melted adhesive by pressing the melted adhesive into a spine of a text body and folding down edges of the melted adhesive into contact with the text body, and actively cool the formed adhesive. A spot heater is configured to heat one or more localized areas of a solid hot melt adhesive to a temperature sufficient to tack the hot melt adhesive to a text body spine. An adhesive former is configured to press a localized region of a preformed heated solid hot melt adhesive into a spine of a text body and to fold down edge regions of the preformed solid hot melt adhesive into contact with the text body.

Abstract: A probabilistic input-output system is used to classify media in printer applications. The probabilistic input-output system uses at least two input parameters to generate an output that has a joint dependency on the input parameters. The input parameters are associated with image-related measurements acquired from imaging textural features that are characteristic of the different classes (types and/or groups) of possible media. The output is a best match in a correlation between stored reference information and information that is specific to an unknown medium of interest. Cluster-weighted modeling techniques are used for generating highly accurate classification results. Within the imaging process, grazing angle illumination (i.e., introducing light at an angle of at least 45 degrees to the normal of the surface being imaged) provides sufficient contrasts for distinguishing the structural features (e.g.

Abstract: A sheet collecting apparatus in a sheet-wise booklet making system is provided, including a collecting device for supporting folded sheets of material in a stack arranged for stapling, and a stapling device for stapling the folded sheets of material supported by the collecting device. The collecting device and the stapling device are attached to a movable frame such that the stapling device remains aligned with the collecting device during movement of the movable frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing an incentive to potential consumers who receive e-mail advertisements or other content to render the advertisement on a display or a printer. An advertiser distributes a content packet to one or more consumers. The content packet includes a message and a value that the consumer will receive if the consumer renders the message. The content packet also includes a message identifier for tracking purposes and a bank account identifier that identifies an advertiser bank account. A pre-configured rules module on a consumer device determines if the message will be rendered according to the value assigned to the packet. If the message is rendered, the consumer notifies the advertiser bank that the message was rendered according to instructions contained in the packet, and the value is transferred from the advertiser bank to a consumer account. A sensor on a consumer printer is used to verify that the message was printed.

Abstract: A document printing and finishing system includes a computer and a standalone finishing machine. The computer is used to print individual sheets that are to be assembled into a finished document by the finishing machine. In addition, the computer prompts its operator for finishing instructions, and then prints an instruction sheet setting forth such finishing instructions. In addition to being set forth in human-readable terms, the instructions are recorded in barcode form or some other format that is easily readable by a computer-based device. After the document sheets and instruction sheet have been printed, an operator submits them to the finishing machine. The finishing machine scans and decodes the instructions from the instruction sheet and automatically configures itself to finish the document in the manner prescribed by the instruction sheet.

Abstract: A system for folding sheet material is provided, including a fold blade, two fold components biased toward one another, and first drive means for moving at least one of the fold blade and the two fold components to position the fold blade between the two fold components and thereby displace the two components away from one another, where the two fold components are mounted on different support elements.

Abstract: A system for folding sheet material, including a fold blade, two fold rollers biased away from each other, an adjusting member which alters a distance between the two fold rollers, and first drive means for moving at least one of the fold blade and the two fold rollers along a first path to position the fold blade between the two fold rollers.

Abstract: A system for folding sheet material, including a fold blade, a fold roller, and drive means for moving at least one of the fold blade and the fold roller along a first path into operative communication with one another, where the operative communication causes displacement of the fold roller along a longitudinal axis of the fold blade.