Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for distributing software. In one arrangement, the method comprises the steps of querying a user as to the needs of the user, receiving user responses to the query, characterizing the use of the user based upon the user responses, and suggesting software programs that may be beneficial to the user based upon the characterization of the use.

Abstract: Ink-jet ink compositions are described comprising at least one organo-phosphonic acid or its sodium or potassium salt. The ink-jet ink compositions reduce puddling, scale formation, kogation and corrosion, and as such lead to improved print quality.

Abstract: A scanner has an optical head that includes lenses and a photosensor array. The distance of the optical head, relative to a surface of a platen, is variable. As a result, the primary focal point for the lenses can be moved relative to a surface of the platen. The primary focal point can be continuously variable, or the primary focal point can be selected from one of multiple alternative primary focal points.

Abstract: A method for more securely entering credit card numbers into online databases.

Abstract: A device that chooses a phone service for a call, based in part on the different calling plans, the time of the call, the number dialed, and the typical length of a call to the number dialed.

Abstract: An apparatus having an image behind a document to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. The image behind the document would partially bleed-through into the reproduced image, leaving a faint replica of the auxiliary “bleed-through” image in the reproduced image.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the resolution of a scan based on the scan area or the scan window size. The smaller the scan window size, the higher the scan resolution would be. The final scan resolution is a function of an initial resolution, a resolution modifier, a printer factor, and an image factor. The resolution modifier, the printer factor and the image factor are dependent on the scan window size, the system printer, and the scan image type respectively.

Abstract: An inkjet drop ejection system comprises a combination of printhead components and ink, mutually tuned to maximize operating characteristics of the printhead and print quality and dry time of the ink. Use of a short shelf (distance from ink source to ink firing element), on the order of 55 microns, provides a very high speed refill. However, it is a characteristic of high speed refill that it has a tendency for being over-damped. To provide the requisite damping, the ink should have a viscosity greater than about 2 cp. In this way, the ink and architecture work together to provide a tuned system that enables stable operation at high frequencies. One advantage of the combination of a pigment and a dispersant in the ink is the resultant higher viscosity provided. The high speed would be of little value if the ink did not have a fast enough rate of drying. This is accomplished by the addition of alcohols or alcohol(s) and surfactant(s) to the ink.

Abstract: A computer operable method for implementing multiple views from a single scan window following a scanning process of an image scanner, the method involves designating the number of views to be obtained from the single scan window; designating the data type and other parameters for each of the number of designated views to be obtained from the single scan window; designating the number of views to be sent from the image scanner to a host computer; once a window has been scanned one or more times, generating a data signal representative of each of the number of views designated to be obtained from the single scan window; and sending each of the data signals representative of the number of views designated to be send from the image scanner to the host computer for further processing. The computer operable method may be implemented in scanner command language (SCL).

Abstract: In a inkjet print cartridge ink flows from the reservoir around the edge of the silicon substrate before being ejected out of the nozzles. During operation, warm thermal boundary layers of ink form adjacent the substrate and dissolved gases in the thermal boundary layer of the ink form the bubbles. If the bubbles to grow larger than the diameter of subsequent ink passageways these bubbles choke the flow of ink to the vaporization chambers. This results in causing some of the nozzles of the printhead to become temporarily inoperable. The disclosure describes a method of avoiding such a malfunction in a liquid inkjet printing system by providing a method for reducing residual air bubbles in an inkjet print cartridge by flushing the empty cartridge by passing carbon dioxide through the fill port or the ink ejection nozzles prior to filling the print cartridge with ink and thereby eliminating residual air bubbles from the print cartridge when the print cartridge is filled with ink.

Abstract: An inkjet drop ejection system comprises a combination of printhead components and ink, mutually tuned to maximize operating characteristics of the printhead and print quality and dry time of the ink. Use of a short shelf (distance from ink source to ink firing element), on the order of 55 microns, provides a very high speed refill. However, it is a characteristic of high speed refill that it has a tendency for being overdamped. To provide the requisite damping, the ink should have a viscosity greater than about 2 cp. In this way, the ink and architecture work together to provide a tuned system that enables stable operation at high frequencies. One advantage of the combination of a pigment and a dispersant in the ink is the resultant higher viscosity provided. The high speed would be of little value if the ink did not have a fast enough rate of drying. This is accomplished by the addition of alcohols or alcohol(s) and surfactant(s) to the ink.

Abstract: An image capture system comprising a scanner having a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter. The scanner operates within an environment that includes a host computer that is configured to accept 8-bit data. The contrast enhancement of the scanner is improved by applying an improved tonal adjustment on a scanned image. The host computer connected to the scanner provides an 256-value to 256-value look-up table (i.e., the 8-bit tone map) to the scanner. The scanner generates an interpolated 1024-level to 256-level look-up table (i.e., a 10-bit tone map) from the 256-level to 256-level look-up table. The 1024-value to 256-value look-up table is generated by using linear interpolation and extrapolation. The scanner can thus provide better contrast enhancements without having to modify the software running on the host computer.

Abstract: A method for dynamically determining and adjusting the color balance of the light strip along one edge of the scanned area and adjusting the gains of independently controlled red, green and blue channels of a CCD array. Alternatively, the gain of one color channel may be held constant and measured to determine the light intensity of the light source as the temperature of the light source varies. The power to the light is then changed to maintain the intensity of the light source within a predetermined range. The three color channels are then compared to a predetermined color balance. If the color balance is outside of a predetermined range, the other two color channels gains are varied in order to maintain the color balance between the three color channels.

Abstract: A method of determining an exposure time for a photosensor based on a desired resolution along a scan direction and a desired resolution in a cross direction may comprise the steps of determining an initial exposure time based on the desired resolution in the cross direction; determining a minimum resolution in the scan direction based on the initial exposure time; comparing the minimum resolution in the scan direction to the desired resolution in the scan direction; and increasing the initial exposure time if the minimum resolution in the scan direction is greater than the desired resolution in the scan direction.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the signal to noise ratio of a CCD sensor within an optical scanner varies the exposure time of the CCD sensor. Exposure time is varied by clocking the CCD sensor a number of times equal to the number of pixels in the CCD sensor plus an additional number of clock cycles to create a delay. The additional exposure time maximizes the magnitudes of the charges produced by the CCD sensor. The required delay is computed during a pre-scan calibration step.

Abstract: A completely passive adapter for scanning transparent images in a reflective scanner. Mirrors are used to capture light from a lamp that is internal to the scanner and to reflect that light thought a transparent image along the light path required by internal scanner optics. For larger images, a lens is added to capture additional light. Different embodiments of the adapter accommodate variation in angles of optical paths and offset between the light source path and the light detection path. Embodiments are provided having two tilted mirrors, two mirrors plus an optical wedge, four mirrors, and seven mirrors. An optional graduated density optical filter may be added to compensate for nonuniform illumination.

Abstract: An image scanning system for producing digital data of a predetermined resolution representing a scanned image of an original. The system includes a photosensing array for generating the digital data, a stepper motor having steps of predetermined size for positioning the array with respect to the original, an image buffer for storing the data and control system for synchronizing the scanning and the storing of data at one or more Y-positioning speeds. Scan line extents along the Y-direction are defined by the relationship of the Y-positioning speed to the array exposure time. The scan lines in conjunction with the present invention have boundaries, wherein the boundaries can occur on or between said motor steps.

Abstract: A method for determining when overall lamp intensity is stable for a lamp in a document scanner. The intensity of a relatively small portion of the lamp is controlled as part of a closed loop intensity control system. During a warm-up transient period, the intensity of the small portion of the lamp is monitored and power to the lamp is monitored. A changing power to the lamp indicates that the overall lamp intensity has not stabilized. Scanning is initiated when the intensity of the monitored portion of the lamp is within a predetermined control range and the power to the lamp has stabilized for a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period can be a default value or can be determined by a user.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for generating a data signal representative of an object which is scanned comprising a light source for illuminating the object; an imaging assembly for projecting imaging light from the object onto an image plane; a plurality of linear photosensor arrays positioned at the image plane for generating light sensing signals indicative of the intensity of light in different spectral regions impinged thereon; a transparent plate positioned in adjacent overlying relationship with the photosensor arrays; a plurality of filter coatings disposed on different regions of the transparent plate in alignment the plurality of photosensor arrays for filteringly transmitting imaging light in the predetermined different spectral regions to the different photosensor arrays.

Abstract: A document scanner provides compensation for sensitivity nonuniformity that may exist between the individual sensor cells of the sensor array that is used to sense light reflected from a document being scanned. Compensated is provided for both dark (i.e. unilluminated) sensitivity variation and light (i.e. illuminated) sensitivity variation that may exist in the individual sensor cells of the sensor array.