Abstract: Bucket tip tenons requiring refurbishment are removed from the bucket tips by grinding. Groups of buckets are clamped on a rotatable table in positions adjacent an induction heating coil and a robotic welding arm, respectively. While one group is preheated, the other group of buckets is in a welding location, enabling the welding head on the robotic arm to sequentially apply weld buildup material to the bucket tips. After applying weld buildup material in multiple passes and sequentially to the bucket tips, the buckets are removed, stress-relieved and the weld buildup material machined to provide refurbished tenons. Upon removal of the buckets from the table, the table is rotated to locate the preheated buckets in welding locations and additional buckets are clamped to the table for preheating.

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 machining apparatus comprising: a discharge machining head assembly; and an electromagnet configured to support the head assembly in a position to machine an area. A method for machining comprising: attaching a machining tool to a surface; positioning a drill electrode to a work piece; and drilling the work piece with the machining tool.

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: The danger of a page punt error in a color image printing device and the memory requirements of the printing device can be simultaneously minimized by a system in which image data is downloaded to the printing device one color plane at a time. The image data is then provided from the printer's formatter to the print engine, and the printing of any particular color plane is not commenced, only when all the data for that particular color plane is received and buffered in the formatter. In this way, the printer need not wait until all the data for the entire image, i.e., all four color planes, are received and buffered before commencing printing. Moreover, the printer need not include sufficient memory to store all the data for the entire color image at once. Rather, memory need only be provided sufficient to store or buffer a single color plane of the image at any given time.

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: Secure printing systems are provided. A representative secure printing system includes a remote print system that is configured to provide a user with an encryption key. The remote printing system also is configured to receive information encrypted using the encryption key, decrypt the information with a corresponding decryption key, and enable the information, once decrypted, to be printed. Methods and other systems also are provided.

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 for securely communicating information are provided. A representative method includes: communicating an address to a first network device via the Internet; receiving encrypted information from the first network device via the Internet; enabling the encrypted information to be posted at the address; and enabling a second network device to access and retrieve the encrypted information from the address via the Internet while the encrypted information is posted. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A print service, preferably realized as a web site or part of web site, supports print by reference operations. Software hosted or accessible by the web site performs the required functions. A print client may be a print device, for example, that has an Internet connection. A print client might also be a portable wireless device, for example, which then might transfer data transcoded by the print service to a print device. The protocol and operational structure of the interface to the remote print service facilitate these operations. In general, the interface formed by the protocol carried out by the remote print service should provide for access by many clients. The interface must carry out a basic level of reference resolution and should provide enhanced print by reference features for clients capable of taking full advantage of the print service through use of a protocol of the invention.

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: A wireless communication protocol for print by reference operations initiated by a portable wireless device. The protocol allows a portable wireless device, such as a handheld personal digital assistant, to initiate a print job with a printer by indicating the nature of the communication as a print by reference operation and identifying a location including print content. The protocol is preferably used as the body of an Object Exchange (OBEX) packet in a Bluetooth RF communication initiated by the portable wireless device with a Bluetooth capable print device, e.g., a printer or multi-function peripheral with a print capability. A preferred embodiment of the wireless communication protocol uses the body of an OBEX packet communicated by Bluetooth RF to include a tag identifying a packet body as being a packet body for a print by reference operation and a location identifying the location of the print content. With a preferred extensible mark-up language format, the location comprises an attribute.

Abstract: A print service, preferably realized as a web site or part of web site, supports print by reference operations. Software hosted or accessible by the web site performs the required functions. A print client may be a print device, for example, that has an Internet connection. A print client might also be a portable wireless device, for example, which then might transfer data transcoded by the print service to a print device. The print service accepts a reference to print content, resolves the reference, obtains the print content, transcodes the print content into a print device ready format, and allows the print client access to the transcoded print data.

Abstract: A method and system for a portable device to obtain print data using a print device has steps of the portable device communicating a reference corresponding to the print data to the print device, with the reference comprising at least a location corresponding to the print data. The print device then communicates with the location to obtain the print data. Preferably, the portable device communicates with the print device via a wireless communications link.

Abstract: A print device for printing data for a client comprises a wireless communications port for receiving a reference communicated from the client, with the reference comprising at least a location for print content. The print device further comprises a network communications port for communicating with the location to obtain the print content. The invention further comprises a program product embodiment for causing a print device to receive a reference from a client and to obtain print content from a location indicated by the reference.