Abstract: A printing system and method is provided. The printing system includes one or more printing system modules, at least one media sheet path interfacing the printing system modules, and a job scheduler for executing one or more printing system print jobs. The job scheduler routes a media sheet to one or more printing system modules for preshrinking or preenlarging without marking and subsequently routes the preshrunk or preenlarged media sheet to one or more printing system modules for marking. The method of printing includes generating a print job to be printed using one or more printing system modules. Print jobs requiring two or more printing system modules for marking are executed by routing a media sheet to one or more printing system modules for preshrinking or preenlarging without marking, and subsequently routing the preshrunk or preenlarged media sheet to the one or more printing modules for marking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that transmit ultra-wideband pulses through twisted-pair wire media are provided. One method includes transmitting an ultra-wideband pulse through the twisted-pair wire media at dissimilar time periods. Another method includes transmitting an ultra-wideband pulse through the twisted-pair wire media at dissimilar radio frequencies. Yet another method includes transmitting an ultra-wideband pulse through the twisted-pair wire media at dissimilar time periods and at dissimilar radio frequencies. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that includes one or more printing modules, the one or more printing modules including a media web transport input; a media web image transfer point; a media web transport output; a primary image transfer system; a secondary image transfer system; and an intermediate image transfer point coupling the primary image transfer system and a secondary image transfer system. The secondary image transfer system is adapted to accept an image from the primary image transfer system at the intermediate image transfer point, and the secondary image transfer system is adapted to transfer the image from the secondary image transfer system to a media web at the media transfer point. The media web transport input and media web transport output provide a media web path to route the media web from the media web transport input to the media web transfer-point, and from the media web transfer point to the media web transport output.

Abstract: A printing system sheet feeder apparatus and method is provided. The printing system feeder includes a front nudger roll positioned near the leading edge of the top sheet of a sheet stack and the front nudger roll is capable of advancing the top sheet. In addition, the printing system sheet feeder includes a separation nip aligned with the front nudger roll, the front nudger roll being capable of receiving the top sheet advanced by the front nudger roll and advancing the top sheet in a direction away from the front nudger. A rear nudger roll is positioned near the trailing edge of the top sheet and is capable of advancing the sheet directly below the top sheet while the top sheet is being advanced by the front nudger roll and/or separation nip, thereby increasing the overall sheet feeding rate to the printing system.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target biomolecule directly in a polyacrylamide gel in which it has been separated from other substances. Prior to binding the target to a probe and while the target biomolecule remains in the gel, the gel is immersed in a water miscible aqueous extracting medium containing a base to shrink the gel by at least about ten percent, and then the gel is washed with water to restore the gel to substantially its original size.

Abstract: A method is provided for aligning images on media produced by one or more print engines in an integrated print system. The method includes printing a first pattern of first symbols on a first region of a print medium with a first print engine and printing a second pattern of second symbols on a second region of the print medium with at least a second print engine in a manner to superpose the second pattern on the first pattern. The method further includes measuring a first deviation of the second pattern of second symbols relative to the first pattern of first symbols, recording the first deviation as a first offset distance relative to the first print engine, reporting the first offset distance to a controller of the second print engine, and, using the first offset distance for aligning at least the second print engine relative to the first print engine.

Abstract: An integrated printing system is provided that includes at least one substantially horizontally aligned printing module including an entrance media path and an exit media path; and at least one interface media transport including at least two substantially horizontal media transport paths, wherein the horizontal media transport paths are positioned vertically relative to each other to provide upper and lower horizontal media transport paths and the horizontal media transport paths transport media to the horizontally aligned printing module. The integrated printing system also provides for a horizontal media transport path to transport media to the horizontally aligned printing module in a direction that passes the exit path of the horizontally aligned printing module before passing the entrance media path of the printing module.

Abstract: A system includes at least first and second marking modules, each of the marking modules including a marking engine and at least one media feeder which feeds print media to the marking engines. First and second output modules receive print media from the first and second marking modules. The first and second output modules each include a finisher. At least one print media network selectively conveys print media between each of the marking modules and each of the output modules. The first and second output modules each include a portion of the print media network, the portion extending between an inlet interface and an outlet interface of the module.

Abstract: An irrigation control system and method for controlling irrigation based on weather data. Weather data such as wind, temperature, solar radiation, humidity, and rainfall, may be collected at one or more weather stations for a region. The weather data may be compiled on a computer and transmitted to a paging broadcast service. The weather data may then be transmitted by the paging broadcast service to controller interfaces associated with irrigation systems throughout the region. The controller interfaces may adjust irrigation controllers associated with the irrigation systems based on the weather data such that the proper amount of water is applied. This allows the water to be used more efficiently and the health of the landscape to be improved.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second marking engines which are operatively connected to each other for printing images onto print media. A print media transport system collects printed media from the marking engines. The print media transport system includes a common paper path which receives printed media from the first and second marking engines. A sensor element is associated with the common paper path for measuring an image quality parameter of printed media traveling thereon and generating a control signal therefrom. An image quality controller is in communication with the sensor element for adjusting image quality parameters in at least one of the first marking engine and second marking engine based on the control signal to reduce a variation in an image quality characteristic of printed images produced by the first and second marking engines.

Abstract: A printing system includes a monochrome marking engine for printing monochrome images and a color marking engine which can print both color and monochrome images. A previewer identifies attributes of the print job, for example, for each page, identifying any monochrome and color images. A user interface enables a user to select a print mode for the print job from a plurality of print modes. A scheduler is responsive to the previewer and the user interface for assigning pages of the print job among the marking engines based on the attributes of the print job and the user-selected print mode. A marking engine controller is in communication with the scheduler for controlling the at least one monochrome marking engine to render pages of the print job assigned thereto and for controlling the at least one color marking engine to render pages of the print job assigned thereto.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for bridging data to and from different communication physical layers and protocols. The present invention comprises a communication system structured to “bridge” between conventional, narrowband carrier wave communication technology and ultra-wideband communication technology. The present invention may be used in wireless and wire communication networks such as hybrid fiber-coax networks. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method for creating bite-sized or filled pieces of chewy or crunchy granola. The invention is an improved process for manipulating and shaping chewy granola without having the granola lose its characteristic texture. The improved process includes: adding extra water to the ordinary ingredients of chewy granola, allowing the water to soften the granola, extruding or shaping the softened granola, and drying or removing the water from the softened granola thereby restoring the granola to about its original texture and composition.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus structured to transmit a plurality of ultra-wideband pulses through an electric power medium is provided. One embodiment of the method comprises an ultra-wideband transmitter structured to transmit the plurality of ultra-wideband pulses through the electric power medium and an ultra-wideband receiver structured to receive the plurality of ultra-wideband pulses from the electric power medium. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a power supply that provides ultra-wideband communications to devices that obtain power from the power supply. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for flooding link state packets or packet data units (LSP's) from a first node to one other LSP receiving node, where the LSP's are flooded in an order that is related to relative costs of various paths emanating from the first node. That is, the first node sends its own LSP first since the first node has no cost relative to itself. The first node then sends other LSP's that are associated with a plurality of other LSP sending nodes that have previously flooded their LSP's to the first node, and these other LSP's are sent by the first node to the other LSP receiving node in an order related to the relative costs associated with the paths from the first node to each of the other LSP sending nodes which had previously sent the other LSP's to the first node.

Abstract: A sheet inverter includes a sheet path, such as a curved sheet path. A sheet driver is positioned to receive a sheet along the sheet path. The sheet driver is adapted to draw in the sheet and reverse a direction of the sheet. An exit path is positioned to receive the sheet from the sheet driver. An inverter path is also positioned to receive the sheet from the sheet driver. The curve of the sheet path biases the sheet's trailing edge into the exit path and the inverter path, and the sheet is directed to the exit path or the inverter path depending only upon how far the sheet is drawn into the sheet driver.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second marking devices for applying images to print media. A primary fusing device is associated with each of the first and second marking devices for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the first and second marking devices. A secondary fusing module receives printed media from the first and second marking devices, the secondary fusing module including first and second secondary fusing devices which selectively apply a further fusing treatment to the images applied to the printed media.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second marking devices for applying images to print media. A first primary fusing device is associated with the first marking device for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the first marking device. A second primary fusing device is associated with the second marking device for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the second marking device. At least one secondary fusing device receives printed media from the first and second marking devices. The secondary fusing device selectively applies a further fusing treatment to at least a portion of the images applied to the printed media to increase a uniformity of an appearance characteristic between printed images generated by the first marking device and the second marking device.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to methods and arrangements for an adhesive coated sewing thread are disclosed. Embodiments may comprise coating a sewing thread with a thermally activated adhesive that is activated when heated and set when cooled. The adhesive can be permanently set when cooled, or it can be reactivated every time it is heated above the threshold temperature for the adhesive and reset when cooled. Further, by using this thread to sew garments and textiles, the garments and textiles may be heated to activate the adhesive and cooled to set the adhesive. Setting the adhesive may strengthen the garment or textile, increasing the quality and lifetime of the article.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to redirect a forward thrust generated by a propeller of a watercraft to provide a non-forward thrust are disclosed. More specifically, embodiments comprise a control surface to redirect the forward thrust from the propeller. Based upon a position (i.e., distance and orientation) of the control surface with respect to the propeller, the redirection generates the non-forward thrust or thrusts. By redirecting a component of the forward thrust back toward the bow, the net forward or reverse, port or starboard thrusts and rotational thrust can be adjusted in fine increments. For instance, by adjusting the amount of prop wash hitting the control surface, the magnitude of the redirected thrust from the control surface can be adjusted. Further, adjusting the angle of the control surfaces adjusts the direction as well as magnitude of a reverse thrust component. The net thrust can be in any direction and rotational.