Abstract: A novel email rating system for enabling a user to rate an email based on characteristics selectable from several categories. In one example embodiment, a sender's email is received by an email receiver. The sender of the email is identified. If the sender is a person whose emails are to be rated by the receiver, cumulative ratings and other information associated with the sender and the recipient are retrieved from a database over a network. The retrieved ratings for the sender are displayed to the receiver either on the email or in a pop-up window. Various other information and selectable options are also displayed for the receiver. After reading the email, the receiver can rate the email in any of a plurality of defined categories such as, for example, usefulness, educational, motivational, helpfulness, productivity, spelling/grammar.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of printers, at least a first and a second of the plurality of printers printing in a first print modality. A scheduling system schedules printing of a set of pages by the plurality of printers. The set of pages, when assembled, may include pages where a high level of consistency is desired, such as facing pages or pages which are otherwise to be placed in close relationship. The scheduling system includes at least two scheduling modes, a first mode in which a consistency constraint is applied to the set of pages, and a second mode, different from the first mode, in which the consistency constraint is not applied. The printing system is configured for printing the set of pages in accordance with the first mode and in accordance with the second mode.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a plurality of substantially identical modules forming a common sheet path. Each module includes an image receptor, a supply of marking material of a predetermined type, and a marking engine for creating an image of marking material on the sheet. Within each module a transport receives a sheet, moves the sheet to receive the image from the marking engine, and makes the sheet available for printing by a subsequent module in the sheet path. A sheet sensing system within each module detects a position of the sheet and uses that information to adjust the position of the image to be transferred to the sheet.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel email rating system and method which enables a user to rate an email based on characteristics selectable from several categories. Cumulative global email ratings for senders given by other receivers are stored in a centralized database accessible over a network. Cumulative local email ratings given by the receiver are also stored. Such information is retrieved, formatted, and displayed on the email for the email receiver at the time the sender's email is opened. Various other options and settings are also displayed. Ratings given the email sender are added to a data record associated with the sender and stored in a database. The sender is optionally provided with the receiver's rating. Additional features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a network based assembly for document processing when the assembly includes an intelligent Network Interface Controller (iNIC), a Document Processing Device (DPS) and a Digital Front End (DFE) for the DPS. Job data and control data communicated to the assembly through the network are communicated solely through the iNIC functioning as a threshold to the DPS assembly. The iNIC segregates any such data to identify job data that needs to be communicated to the DFE from other data that can be directly communicated to the DPS. Enhanced communication efficiency results from directly communicating control data to the DPS to avoid bottleneck communication of all data through the DFE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a network based assembly for document processing when the assembly includes an intelligent Network Interface Controller (iNIC), a Document Processing Device (DPS) and a Digital Front End (DFE) for the DPS. Job data and control data communicated to the assembly through the network are communicated solely through the iNIC functioning as a threshold to the DPS assembly. The iNIC segregates any such data to identify job data that needs to be communicated to the DFE from other data that can be directly communicated to the DPS. Enhanced communication efficiency results from directly communicating control data to the DPS to avoid bottleneck communication of all data through the DFE.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-interactive, dry powder development of electrostatic Images composed of solid areas and fine lines areas on an imageable surface including a housing containing developer material; a first magnetic roll, spaced a first predefined distance from the image, for transporting the developer material from the housing to develop solid areas of the image, the magnetic roll including an magnetic core and a cylindrical sleeve enclosing and rotating about the magnetic core; and a second magnetic roll, spaced a second predefined distance from the image, for transporting the developer material from the housing to develop fine line areas of the image, the magnetic roll including an magnetic core and a cylindrical sleeve enclosing and rotating about the magnetic core.