Abstract: The present invention provides an improved for providing a history list of existing imaging compositions having links to imaging data that is serviced as a single unit that can be later retrieved by the user associated with the history list. The present invention includes a history list of existing imaging compositions, which has links to imaging data that are serviced as a single unit. The present invention further includes a personal imaging repository having a composition store for storing the history list and the existing imaging compositions, and it acts as an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet. The composition store of the personal imaging repository also maintains the history list.

Abstract: A computer readable media for use with a computer, the computer readable media bearing software configured to present to a user of the computer an interface with which the user can select from a superset of print features provided by multiple printers; receive from the user data indicating print features selected by the user; and suggest a printer to the user based on print features selected by the user. A method of configuring a computer for printing, the method comprising presenting to a user an interface with which the user can select from a superset of print features provided by multiple printers; receiving from the user data indicating print features selected by the user; and suggesting a printer to the user based on print features selected by the user.

Abstract: The present invention includes data imaging methods and image forming devices. One aspect of the present invention provides a data imaging method including the steps of providing an image forming device including a filter interface; communicating at least one data stream within the image forming device; adaptively interfacing a filter with the filter interface of the image forming device; accessing at least one data stream using the filter following the interfacing; and forming an image following the accessing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a low toner condition in a color laser printer are disclosed. The invention generally includes at least one energy detector which can detect relative intensity of electromagnetic energy reflected from at least one toner area. A variation in the intensity of reflected energy, either from a reference value, or within a single toner area, or between two toner areas, can indicate toner fade due to a low toner condition. Apparatus in accordance with the present invention can also include a movable support surface which can support at least one toner area. Apparatus can also include at least one of various configurations of energy sources which can be configured to produce electromagnetic energy and direct the energy toward the toner area. A method in accordance with the present invention can include detecting intensity of electromagnetic energy reflected from at least one toner area.

Abstract: A network interface configured to monitor communications between an e-customer and an e-vendor coupled to a network; and an auditable record engine, the auditable record engine including an identity discriminator configured to receive the communications and identify the e-customer and the e-vendor; a communication discriminator configured to receive the communications, extract information indicative of a stage of a e-service transaction; and a record formatter configured to generate an independent summary of the communication session. A representative method includes recognizing that a communication session has been established between at least two parties, identifying one of the parties as the source of the communication, extracting information from a message sent from the source to a destination party to form a communication summary, and appending the communication summary in an independent log.

Abstract: A method of establishing auditable records of the process of agreement of contract by multiple participants in a service which operates over a computer network which has a customer and a vendor which negotiate during a contract formation phase of a transaction and in which a product or service is supplied to the customer during a contract execution phase of the transaction, includes providing a contract manager which monitors communications between the parties relating at least to the contract formation phase of the transaction, and keeps auditable records of the negotiations so as maintain an independent record of the agreed contract.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a low toner condition in a printer having a plurality of toner cartridges are provided. A method is provided which includes presenting a cartridge having low toner at a cartridge access way where the cartridge can be removed and replaced. The method can also include providing a carriage which can movably support the plurality of toner cartridges and can automatically move the cartridge having low toner to the cartridge access way when a low toner condition is detected. An apparatus is provided which includes a movable carriage which can move in a substantially linear manner. Other apparatus are provided which include a movable carriage which can move in a substantially rotational manner.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory to store compressed color data and decompressed color data. In addition, the apparatus includes a decompressor arranged to receive the compressed color data from the memory and configured to generate the decompressed color data and store the decompressed color data in the memory. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a color space converter arranged to receive the decompressed color data from the memory and configured to perform a color space conversion on the decompressed color data to form converted color space data. Additionally, the apparatus includes a halftoning device arranged to receive the converted color space data and configured to perform a halftoning operation to generate halftone data. A method includes storing compressed color data in a memory and loading the compressed color data into a decompressor from the memory.

Abstract: A peripheral device operable to be coupled to a computer communication network and deliver electronic content information includes a content delivery device and a content delivery module. The content delivery device is operable to deliver electronic content information. The content delivery module is coupled to the content delivery device and operable to retrieve the electronic content information. The content delivery module is further operable to determine an appropriate time to deliver the electronic content information, and to deliver the electronic content information via the content delivery device. A method of delivering electronic content information through a peripheral device includes: retrieving electronic content information; determining when a content delivery device coupled to the peripheral device is idle; and responsive to determining that the content delivery device is idle, delivering the electronic content information via the content delivery device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing an inter-page gap for producing calibration patches, which utilization can reduce or eliminate interruption or suspension, due to calibration, of the normal printing mode of a color laser printer. In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided which is configured to produce at least one calibration patch within each of a plurality of successive inter-page gaps. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed which provides for producing at least one calibration image within an inter-page gap and further includes producing at least one calibration patch within each of a plurality of successive inter-page gaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved for providing a history list of existing imaging compositions having links to imaging data that is serviced as a single unit that can be later retrieved by the user associated with the history list. The present invention includes a history list of existing imaging compositions, which has links to imaging data that are serviced as a single unit. The present invention further includes a personal imaging repository having a composition store for storing the history list and the existing imaging compositions, and it acts as an exchange infrastructure between the imaging data and available web services on the Internet. The composition store of the personal imaging repository also maintains the history list.

Abstract: A tool for locating a device on a network includes software for capturing information from the network or from devices on the network. The captured information includes user information relating to a user or users that use the device being located. The captured user information is cross referenced with a database having user location information. The user location information is then referenced to determine a physical location of the device. Typically, the physical location of the device is in the same general area as its users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing an inter-page gap for producing calibration patches, which utilization can reduce or eliminate interruption or suspension, due to calibration, of the normal printing mode of a color laser printer. In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided which is configured to produce at least one calibration patch within each of a plurality of successive inter-page gaps. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed which provides for producing at least one calibration image within an inter-page gap and further includes producing at least one calibration patch within each of a plurality of successive inter-page gaps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a low toner condition in a printer having a plurality of toner cartridges are provided. A method is provided which includes presenting a cartridge having low toner at a cartridge access way where the cartridge can be removed and replaced. The method can also include providing a carriage which can movably support the plurality of toner cartridges and can automatically move the cartridge having low toner to the cartridge access way when a low toner condition is detected. An apparatus is provided which includes a movable carriage which can move in a substantially linear manner. Other apparatus are provided which include a movable carriage which can move in a substantially rotational manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a low toner condition in a color laser printer are disclosed. The invention generally includes at least one energy detector which can detect relative intensity of electromagnetic energy reflected from at least one toner area. A variation in the intensity of reflected energy, either from a reference value, or within a single toner area, or between two toner areas, can indicate toner fade due to a low toner condition. Apparatus in accordance with the present invention can also include a movable support surface which can support at least one toner area. Apparatus can also include at least one of various configurations of energy sources which can be configured to produce electromagnetic energy and direct the energy toward the toner area. A method in accordance with the present invention can include detecting intensity of electromagnetic energy reflected from at least one toner area.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises an input for receiving a print job data stream, a memory coupled to the input for storing at least a portion of the print job data stream, and detection apparatus coupled to the memory for detecting at least two classes of indicia indicative of a banner page within the at least a portion of the print job data stream. The image forming device further includes management apparatus coupled to the detection apparatus for managing usage of the banner page independent of other pages defined in the print job data stream.

Abstract: A peripheral device (such as a printer) locates shareable resources on an accessory by using an offset mechanism on the accessory. The offset mechanism includes one or more offset values stored in a first memory location on the accessory. The one or more offset values are indicative of offsets of one or more resources within the accessory memory. The one or more accessory resources are shareable with the peripheral device. A further offset value is stored in a second memory location on the accessory. The further offset value is indicative of an offset for determining the first memory location on the accessory. Additionally, a base address is stored in yet another memory location on the accessory and provides a general reference point for locating the first memory and accessory resources as mapped into the peripheral's memory. In a preferred embodiment, the offset mechanism of the present invention is implemented as an enhanced feature of the PCI Local Bus Specification.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises an input for receiving a print job data stream; a memory coupled to the input for storing at least a portion of the print job data stream; and, detection apparatus coupled to the memory for detecting indicia indicative of a banner page within the at least a portion of the print job data stream. The indicia includes, selectively, a job boundary, a printer description language used, a page size, complexity of a page, a page closing, a differentiation of print settings as between consecutive pages, or any combination thereof. The image forming device further includes management apparatus coupled to the detection apparatus for managing usage of the banner page in the image forming device, including controlling resolution of the banner page, controlling inclusion/exclusion of the banner page in finishing operations, controlling output quantity of the banner page, and controlling input and output tray selection for the banner page.

Abstract: A packet-based communication system is described for linking a peripheral unit (PU) to the outside world via a communications link. The system includes a modular interface unit (MIU) which has a memory shared by processors in both the PU and MIU. The system employs control packets, read packets and write packets and performs a method for allocating the shared memory that optimizes memory utilization. The system determines a ratio of read to write packets required in the operation of the PU, and it ignores that ratio if the communications link will not transmit write packets. If the communication link will transmit write packets, it allocates read and write packet space within the shared memory in accordance with the ratio. The system also includes apparatus for enabling MIU configuration via user/keyboard inputs through the PU with the MIU providing the question and answer messages.