Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a container is provided. The dispenser includes a housing having a dispensing area. A pump or a control valve is in communication with a source of diluent which is to be dispensed into the dispensing area. A cartridge receiving area and a dispensing actuator are located in the housing. A concentrate/extract cartridge is removably insertable into the cartridge receiving area in a position to be actuated by the dispensing actuator, the concentrate/extract cartridge being adapted to hold a beverage concentrate/extract and including a dispensing aperture for dispensing a beverage concentrate/extract into the dispensing area upon placement of the concentrate/extract cartridge in the cartridge receiving area. A controller is located in the housing to control the actuator to discharge concentrate/extract into the dispensing area. A method of dispensing a selected beverage made from concentrate/extract and a diluent is also provided.

Abstract: A method for reusing data in an imaging device is described. An imaging job is received at an imaging device. The imaging job includes file system information and a document in a first format. It is determined whether the document has been previously processed by the imaging device. The document is processed if it was determined that the document had not been previously processed by the imaging device. The processing provides a processed document in a second format. The processed document is saved if it was determined that the document had not been previously processed by the imaging device. A previously saved processed document is reused that corresponds to the document if it was determined that the document had been previously processed by the imaging device.

Abstract: A concentrate/extract cartridge for a beverage dispenser adapted to dispense a liquid concentrate/extract and a diluent is provided. The cartridge includes a hollow body for containing liquid concentrate/extract and an aperture. A pumping device is connected to the hollow body for dispensing the liquid concentrate/extract from the hollow body through the aperture. A method for dispensing a liquid concentrate/extract from a beverage dispenser using a concentrate/extract cartridge is also provided in which the concentrate/extract does not come into contact with the dispenser.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for adaptively allocating random access memory (RAM) in an multifunctional peripheral (MFP) device with a plurality of components. The method comprises: supplying an interface; and, in response to interface prompts, selecting the allocation of RAM for MFP features or components. Typically, the MFP device includes fax, scanner, printer, and copier components, and the method further comprises selecting the allocation of RAM for MFP components selected from the group including fax, scanner, printer, or copier. The method further comprises: selecting the allocation of RAM for MFP features selected from the group including post script (PS) documents, printer control language (PCL) documents, tagged image file format (TIFF) documents, or portable document format (PDF) documents.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for maintaining security in a network of imaging devices, such as copiers, scanners, printers, fax machines, and the like. In response to performing an imaging function, a copy of the document is sent to a security auditor for storage. In addition, other features such as user identification, the destination (if the document is sent), and the kind of imaging function performed (copy, print, send) can be stored and cross-referenced with the documents. The network can analyze the documents in storage for security purposes based upon factors such as user identification, document recipients, client number, and document subject matter, to name but a few.

Abstract: A speaker system having intelligence for communication with the amplifier. The speaker system contains a communications module that transmits information across the connection between the speaker system and the amplifier with regard to the speaker characteristics. The communications module may be powered by a rectifier that derives power from a high frequency carrier signal passed to it by a high-pass filter. The method of operating the speaker generates a carrier signal and powers the communications module using the carrier signal. The communications module transmits information to the amplifier so long as the carrier signal is present and shuts down when the carrier signal is no longer present. An optional step includes allowing communication to the speaker system from the amplifier.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a container is provided. The dispenser includes a housing having a dispensing area. A pump or a control valve is in communication with a source of diluent which is to be dispensed into the dispensing area. A cartridge receiving area and a dispensing actuator are located in the housing. A concentrate/extract cartridge is removably insertable into the cartridge receiving area in a position to be actuated by the dispensing actuator, the concentrate/extract cartridge being adapted to hold a beverage concentrate/extract and including a dispensing aperture for dispensing a beverage concentrate/extract into the dispensing area upon placement of the concentrate/extract cartridge in the cartridge receiving area. A controller is located in the housing to control the actuator to discharge concentrate/extract into the dispensing area. A method of dispensing a selected beverage made from concentrate/extract and a diluent is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for redirecting all or part of a print job to one or more alternate printing devices in a local, remote or network printing environment, prior to or after the print job has been despooled to a printing device. Implementation takes place in association with one or more print jobs initiated for rendering in a printing environment.

Abstract: A method and system for handling both proprietary and transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) protocols over a point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection. The method and system use the PPP connection over a single communication line to initially communicate using a proprietary protocol and then switch to a TCP/IP communication while still maintaining the connection to the single communication line.

Abstract: A method and structure for tagging data files with application information. A control application is distributed to users and recipients of data files. The control application allows users to either create or open a data file. To create a data file, the control application accesses the desired creating application and embeds information about the control application into the data file. The control application also includes information on a location of the exact version of the exact application for access of the contents of the data file. To open a data file, the control application accesses the embedded information and determines if the proper version of the correct application is present. If it is not, the control application uses the location information to access the proper version of the application, download it to a local site, and use it to access the contents of the data file.

Abstract: A method for managing execution priorities in a multitasking operating system. The user sets execution priorities by the position of the application window on the screen relative to the other windows. When the user changes the position of the window, the system determines the new position relative to the other windows and reallocates the execution priorities based upon that window's new position. The allocation is done separately from the active window with which the user is currently interacting. In some instances, constraints may be placed upon the execution priority settings that prevent the system from exceeding certain maximums or going below certain minimums.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for maintaining security in a network of imaging devices, such as copiers, scanners, printers, fax machines, and the like. In response to performing an imaging function, a copy of the document is sent to a security auditor for storage. In addition, other features such as user identification, the destination (if the document is sent), and the kind of imaging function performed (copy, print, send) can be stored and cross-referenced with the documents. The network can analyze the documents in storage for security purposes based upon factors such as user identification, document recipients, client number, and document subject matter, to name but a few.

Abstract: A method of dynamic performance determination of network connected output devices, wherein each output device has a set of known characteristics, including entering a print job at a first network output device; querying other output devices on the network to determine each other output device's characteristics and pending print jobs to determine if a specific other output device is capable of performing the entered print job; transmitting a print job from the first network output device to each other capable output device; reporting the completion of a single copy of the entered print job by each other network output device; and determining the number of copies of the entered print job to be printed by the first network output device and each other output device.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a latch arm which is connected to the housing by a tubular hinge that is integrally molded with the housing and with the latch arm. The latch arm extends from the housing in a forward direction, and an axis of the tubular hinge extends transverse to the forward direction. A locking arm is connected to the latch arm and is cooperable with the housing to exert tension on the latch arm when the latch arm is engaged with a mating electrical connector. The locking arm has a hook portion that engages an inclined surface of the housing to facilitate tensioning of the latch arm.

Abstract: A docking module can electrically connect a portable computer to a plurality of ancillary support devices. Engagement devices can alternately pull and push the portable computer relative to the housing. A sliding deck projects from the housing and is adapted to underlie and pull the portable computer toward the housing. The module has a plurality of electrically interconnected connectors mounted on panels on opposite sides of a housing. These panels are separately mounted at front and rear openings in the housing. A standard blank panel can have holes formed in it in a variety connector patterns to accommodate a variety of portable computers. Accordingly, the module is readily adapted to a portable computer by selecting a mounting pattern for the connectors on one of the panels, without a need to modify the housing. Also the docking module can be customized by using a standard reciprocating mechanism and selecting a customized mating implement to attach to the reciprocating mechanism.