Abstract: Object-oriented data storage. A system and method is disclosed for enhanced data storage. A system for object-oriented data storage may comprise an intelligent object editor capable of accessing data content and a destination storage device coupled to the intelligent object editor. The intelligent object editor can link associated information to data content to create a storage object. The storage object can then be stored to the destination storage device.

Abstract: A printer is configured by creating a printer menu structure and installing the printer menu structure on the printer. The printer menu structure is installed on an erasable storage device in the printer. The installation of the printer menu structure replaces or extends any menu structure previously installed on the printer. Prior to installing the printer menu structure on the printer, the system simulates operation of the printer menu structure. The printer menu structure has a hierarchy of menu elements, each of which has an associated menu element type and an associated action. An icon may be associated with one or more of the menu elements.

Abstract: A method or apparatus of organizing data in a storage device includes receiving data in the storage device, and transforming the received data into a first data object. The first data object is stored in a hierarchical data structure, the hierarchical data structure containing plural levels of data objects.

Abstract: A storage system includes a storage medium containing blocks identified by block addresses. The storage medium stores hierarchical data structures, each hierarchical data structure containing plural levels of data objects. Each hierarchical data structure is stored in a respective group of blocks. In response to a request containing an identifier of at least one of the hierarchical data structures, a controller generates one or more block addresses based on the identifier. The controller accesses one or more blocks indicated by the one or more block addresses.

Abstract: A printer handles a print job by determining whether the entire print job can be processed locally by the printer. If possible, the printer processes the print job locally. If the entire print job cannot be processed locally, then the printer sends the print job (or a portion of the print job) to an external rendering device. The printer receives a rendered print job (or a rendered portion of a print job) from the external rendering device. Finally, the printer prints the rendered print job. If different portions of the print job require processing by different external rendering devices, then portions of a particular print job may be distributed to multiple external rendering devices. An external rendering device may be a server coupled to the printer via the Internet.