Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing collisions between vehicles and moving hazards include the use of active signs, a network of sensors, and a controller. Such sensors can be placed adjacent to a roadway and are used to detect the presence of animals. The active signs display a local speed limit. The controller accepts the sensor signals as input and outputs display commands to the active signs. The controller maintains a rolling window of recent detections in histogram form. The recent data, together with a control law specified by the municipal authority, can be used to specify updated local speed limits to influence driver behavior.

Abstract: A proposed appointment time may be selected by determining a timeframe for a proposed appointment, where the proposed appointment is at least one month from a current time. After a first period of time, a request to narrow the timeframe for the proposed appointment may be sent to a client device. A response to the request to narrow the timeframe may be received. After a second period of time, a proposed appointment may be selected within the narrowed time frame and a request including the proposed appointment time may be sent to the client. A response to the request may confirm the proposed appointment time or suggest an alternative appointment time.

Abstract: A computer-based apparatus including: a cassette including a plurality of compartments for storing medications; and a dispenser including a processor and memory storing computer readable instructions and information for a plurality of medications, the information including dosages and schedules for the medications. The processor is configured to extract a medication from the plurality of medications from a compartment according to the information. The processor is configured to: receive, from a second computer remote from the apparatus, an input including a modification to the information; or create a modification to the information.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing medications, including: a dispensing device storing prescription information including: identification of each medication included in a first plurality of medications; a respective dosage for each medication; and a plurality of time spans, including respective points in time, for dispensing the first plurality of medications; a cassette installed in the dispensing device and including a plurality of sealed compartments, each compartment in the plurality of sealed compartments configured to store at least one respective pill for each medication in a second plurality of medications; and at least one dispensing port. The dispensing device is configured to, within each time span in the plurality of time spans and when the second plurality of medications is in compliance with the prescription information: access each compartment via the at least one dispensing port; and extract every at least one first pill from each compartment.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to techniques for traffic monitoring. The techniques utilize a relatively low cost sensing system, referred to here as “smart tape.” Smart tape is adhered directly to the roadway and provides the ability to temporarily monitor traffic. It can be applied in an appropriate length for the roadway condition. Smart tape is responsive to the pressure of a vehicle's tires passing over it. Furthermore, smart tape does not require an attached monitoring device, unlike certain known traffic monitoring techniques.

Abstract: An articulating sheet guide is used in connection with a printing system. A primary media transport nip is disposed adjacent a media sheet source supplying a media sheet. A secondary media transport nip is downstream. A link has a front surface facing upstream, and a proximal end pivotally mounted. From adjacent the primary media transport, the link will pivot past the secondary media transport. A link pocket is disposed transversely to the process direction on the link front surface. The V-shaped link pocket is adapted to receive the media leading edge. The primary media transport nip will move the media sheet toward the link. The link pocket will receive the media leading edge. The media sheet movement will cause the link to move in an arcuate path guided by the pivotal movement of the link into engagement by the secondary media transport nip. The link pocket will release the media leading edge. The operation is nearly silent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing collisions between vehicles and moving hazards include the use of active signs, a network of sensors, and a controller. Such sensors can be placed adjacent to a roadway and are used to detect the presence of animals. The active signs display a local speed limit. The controller accepts the sensor signals as input and outputs display commands to the active signs. The controller maintains a rolling window of recent detections in histogram form. The recent data, together with a control law specified by the municipal authority, can be used to specify updated local speed limits to influence driver behavior.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimizing a multi-color variable digital data lithographic image forming system by controlling characteristics of one or more individual color inks to maximize ink transfer of a particular color ink layer onto the surface of an image receiving medium substrate, or onto other color ink layers deposited on the surface of the image receiving medium substrate when producing digital output images, including multi-color digital output images, with a proposed variable digital offset lithographic architecture. Ink characteristics and ink transfer parameters are particularly optimized in the proposed variable digital data lithographic systems to promote high efficiency ink transfer from an ink donor surface to an ink receiver surface in order that excessive amounts of untransferred ink do not remain on the ink donor surface requiring extensive cleaning of the reimageable surface in the image forming system between cycles of a multi-color ink system.

Abstract: In the method and device, electronic documents are created from a batch of physical documents of varying lengths. The batch comprises sub-batches of groups of multiple multi-page physical documents with separator sheets on each group. Each separator sheet is marked with a page count for any physical documents in its group. The batch is scanned-in and the resulting image pages are used to form the electronic documents. Specifically, the image pages are analyzed in sequence to identify document sheet image pages and separator sheet image pages. When a separator sheet image page is identified, the page count on that separator sheet image page is read and electronic document(s) is/are created from sequential set(s) of document sheet image pages, which follow the separator sheet image page and have the specific page count, until the next separator sheet image page is identified. This is repeated for all separator sheet image pages identified.

Abstract: In the method and device, electronic documents are created from a batch of physical documents of varying lengths. The batch comprises sub-batches of groups of multiple multi-page physical documents with separator sheets on each group. Each separator sheet is marked with a page count for any physical documents in its group. The batch is scanned-in and the resulting image pages are used to form the electronic documents. Specifically, the image pages are analyzed in sequence to identify document sheet image pages and separator sheet image pages. When a separator sheet image page is identified, the page count on that separator sheet image page is read and electronic document(s) is/are created from sequential set(s) of document sheet image pages, which follow the separator sheet image page and have the specific page count, until the next separator sheet image page is identified. This is repeated for all separator sheet image pages identified.

Abstract: An articulating sheet guide is used in connection with a printing system. A primary media transport nip is disposed adjacent a media sheet source supplying a media sheet. A secondary media transport nip is downstream. A link has a front surface facing upstream, and a proximal end pivotally mounted. From adjacent the primary media transport, the link will pivot past the secondary media transport. A link pocket is disposed transversely to the process direction on the link front surface. The V-shaped link pocket is adapted to receive the media leading edge. The primary media transport nip will move the media sheet toward the link. The link pocket will receive the media leading edge. The media sheet movement will cause the link to move in an arcuate path guided by the pivotal movement of the link into engagement by the secondary media transport nip. The link pocket will release the media leading edge. The operation is nearly silent.

Abstract: A multiple-beam imager includes multiple light sources (e.g., laser diodes) that transmit light beam pulses (energy doses) along parallel paths onto print plate spots disposed in a circumferential target region during each imaging period. The beam pulses are coordinated with rotation of the imaging cylinder such that, as a selected print plate spot is rotated through the target region, it is sequentially positioned during successive imaging periods to receive light beam pulses from each of the sequentially-aligned light sources, whereby the selected print plate spot receives multiple energy doses (e.g., one during each raster-scan) as it passes through the target region, thereby gradually heating and then evaporating the fountain solution predisposed over the selected print spot. A polygon mirror is used to raster-scan the beam pulses along parallel raster-scan zones.

Abstract: A sensing method and system to protect printer print heads from substrate media contact comprising a trip wire sensor to detect and signal a printer control system that substrate media carried by transport media is positioned to strike or contact the print head. The trip wire sensor is located upstream of the print heads, a controlled distance above the transport media in the direction normal to the plane of the media, and comprises a trip wire operatively connected to at least one transducer. Substrate media exceeding the height requirements associated with the print heads contact the trip wire sensor causing the generation of an electrical signal which is received by the printer control system which then takes corrective action to prevent damage to the print heads, for example, by raising the print heads further away from the transport media and allowing the non-conforming substrate media to pass through and be purged.

Abstract: A reversing apparatus within a media path comprises an input nip moving sheets of media in a first direction, and a reversing nip positioned to receive the sheets of media from the input nip. The reversing nip stops the sheets and moves the sheets in a second direction opposite the first direction. Also included is an output nip positioned to receive the sheets of media from the reversing nip, and an actuator connected to the reversing nip. The actuator moves the reversing nip relative to a position of the input nip and the output nip, based on a characteristic of the sheets of media.

Abstract: A sensing method and system to protect printer print heads from substrate media contact comprising a trip wire sensor to detect and signal a printer control system that substrate media carried by transport media is positioned to strike or contact the print head. The trip wire sensor is located upstream of the print heads, a controlled distance above the transport media in the direction normal to the plane of the media, and comprises a trip wire operatively connected to at least one transducer. Substrate media exceeding the height requirements associated with the print heads contact the trip wire sensor causing the generation of an electrical signal which is received by the printer control system which then takes corrective action to prevent damage to the print heads, for example, by raising the print heads further away from the transport media and allowing the non-conforming substrate media to pass through and be purged.

Abstract: A printer and method of printing wherein a preview mode conveys media through the printer in a manner that avoids the possibility that the media can contact a print head. A hold-down system of the printer and/or media transport generates a hold-down pressure applied to the substrate media in the direction of the first media transport. A precurler unit applies a predetermined degree of curl to the substrate media. A media height sensor determines the height of the substrate media above the first media transport under the influence of the hold-down pressure. A print head array marks the substrate media with an image in the marking zone, and an actuator adjusts the relative spacing between the print head array and the first media transport. The gap between print head and the media is adjustable in view of the measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in a direct marking printing system. The system includes: one or more print heads for depositing ink onto a media substrate; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path past the one or more print heads; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt; an electrostatic field reducer that includes an alternating current charge device positioned upstream of the one or more print heads; and one or apertures with electrically isolated biased electrodes separated by an opening that is in registration with the ink deposition areas of the one or more print heads. The media transport includes a media transport belt and, when the media is on the transport belt it has an electrostatic field, which can cause printing defects. The electrostatic field reducer and electrodes reduce the electrostatic field on the surface of the media and thereby reduce printing defects.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in a direct marking printing system. The system includes: one or more print heads for depositing ink onto a media substrate; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path past the one or more print heads; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt; and an electrostatic field reducer that includes an alternating current corona device positioned upstream of the one or more print heads. The media transport includes a media transport belt and, when the media substrate is on the transport belt it has an electrostatic field, which can cause printing defects. The electrostatic field reducer reduces the electrostatic field on the surface of the media substrate and thereby reduces printing defects.

Abstract: An imager apparatus useful for a digital lithographic printing system includes imaging roll configured to be heated to a first temperature. The imager apparatus may include one or more heating elements for heating the imaging roll to the first temperature within one revolution. The imaging roll may be about the same width as an imaging plate in a cross-process direction, the imaging plate and the imaging roll being configurable for forming an imaging nip in a digital lithographic ink printing system. The imager apparatus may include a solution ejecting mechanism such as a printhead for ejecting fountain solution or water at ambient temperature onto a surface of the imaging roll according digital image data.

Abstract: An imager apparatus useful for a digital architecture lithographic printing system includes a first imager bank having at least one imager configured to produce a first output beam; and a second imager bank having at least one imager configured to produce a second output beam, the second imager bank being located at a first angle with respect to the first imager bank, the first output beam and the second output beam being separated by a second angle which is less than the first angle.