Abstract: Placement of an object on a surface is detected. A user interface corresponding to the object is displayed.

Abstract: A method controls wireless communication access by defining a zone with at least one first computing device and then selectively permitting wireless communication access for a second computing device to the first computing device based on a position of the second computing device relative to the zone. A wireless communication access control system comprises at least one first computing device and a second computing device. The first and second computing device each include a controller and a wireless communication transceiver for communicating with each other. The first computing device is configured for controlling an access zone adjacent the first computing device wherein the first computing device is configured for permitting selective wireless communication access to the first computing device for the second computing device based on a position of the second computing device relative to the zone.

Abstract: Placement of an object on a surface is detected. A user interface corresponding to the object is displayed.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting a printer from a plurality of printers to fulfill a print job of a user includes receiving a print request for the print job from the user at one of the printers, distributing the print request for the print job to at least another of the printers associated with the one of the printers, determining if the at least another of the printers has a printing capability to fulfill the print job, including comparing the print request for the print job with the printing capability of the at least another of the printers, and submitting a print offer to the user from the at least another of the printers if the at least another of the printers has the printing capability to fulfill the print job.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using an embedded Web server on a printing device to automatically download desired web-based data from a remote Web site, as well as methods for storing the downloaded information in a printer-associated cache (job retention) for later printing and/or access. The methods of the present invention further permit the data downloads to be scheduled, for example, during nonpeak hours of internet or network usage, and/or at predetermined intervals. Additionally, the apparatus described in the methods of the present invention comprise a system for downloading web-based data.

Abstract: The present invention includes computer programs on computer-readable media that allows for controlling a computer system to perform a delayed operation such as, but not limited to, a print command, an e-mailing distribution, a software installation, a file transfer protocol upload, a web site posting and an internet phone call. The present invention also includes methods for controlling a computer system to perform the above-discussed delayed operations and a computing system capable of performing the above-discussed delayed operations.

Abstract: A consumable resource access control unit includes a consumable resource and an authorization interface coupled to the consumable resource. The interface is configured to limit use of the resource.

Abstract: Predetermined indicia are detected in a digital image that is formed by optical scanning. Alternatively, or in addition, a digital image can have a predefined insertion field. Input and/or an optically scanned image is substituted in the digital image for the predetermined indicia and/or for the predefined insertion field. The digital image having the substitution is rendered.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of electronically capturing usage information from a non-networked imaging device. The method includes generating a printed status report, including the usage information, from the non-networked imaging device, and optically scanning the printed status report to thereby produced an electronic copy of the optically scanned printed status report. The method further includes optically recognizing, from the electronic copy of the optically scanned printed status report, the usage information contained therein. The optically recognized usage information is then converted into digital usage information, and the digital usage information is saved to a computer readable memory device.

Abstract: A digital camera allows the photographer to specify an aspect ratio at which a photograph will be used, typically an aspect ratio of a standard photographic print format. The aspect ratio may optionally be specified by indicating which standard format is to be used. The aspect ratio may optionally be specified by a numerical value. The camera may optionally alter its preview image to match the desired aspect ratio. The resulting photograph may optionally be cropped to the desired aspect ratio before being stored. The resulting photograph may optionally be stored in its uncropped size, and aspect ratio and cropping information stored with it as metadata.

Abstract: Text that is adjacent to predetermined indicia is detected in a digital image. Alternatively, or in addition, a digital image can have text that is adjacent to a predefined insertion field. Text that is input and/or derived from an optically scanned image is substituted in the digital image for the predetermined indicia and/or for the predefined insertion field. The substituted text matches the font of text adjacent thereto in the digital image. The digital image having the substitution is rendered.

Abstract: One method embodiment of providing an identification key to a printing device or printing device consumable includes storing the identification key in a memory module affixed to a printing device consumable.

Abstract: A digital image is composed at a digital transmitter device from a hardcopy source. The digital image includes an optically scanned image. Indicia is detected on the hardcopy image. A substitute is made for the indicia in the composed digital image. A modified rendering of the digital image is output.

Abstract: A method of providing web content for a printing device includes attaching a memory module storing the web content to a printing device consumable.

Abstract: A method of providing firmware for a printing device includes attaching a memory module storing the firmware to a printing device consumable.

Abstract: A method of providing email messages for a printing device includes attaching a memory module storing the email messages to a printing device consumable.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting a printer from a plurality of printers to fulfill a print job of a user includes receiving a print request for the print job from the user at one of the printers, distributing the print request for the print job to at least another of the printers associated with the one of the printers, determining if the at least another of the printers has a printing capability to fulfill the print job, including comparing the print request for the print job with the printing capability of the at least another of the printers, and submitting a print offer to the user from the at least another of the printers if the at least another of the printers has the printing capability to fulfill the print job.

Abstract: A method controls wireless communication access by defining a zone with at least one first computing device and then selectively permitting wireless communication access for a second computing device to the first computing device based on a position of the second computing device relative to the zone. A wireless communication access control system comprises at least one first computing device and a second computing device. The first and second computing device each include a controller and a wireless communication transceiver for communicating with each other. The first computing device is configured for controlling an access zone adjacent the first computing device wherein the first computing device is configured for permitting selective wireless communication access to the first computing device for the second computing device based on a position of the second computing device relative to the zone.

Abstract: This invention allows the user to prepare customized wrapping paper at a kiosk by downloading an image into the kiosk, selecting a wrapping paper background at the kiosk, selecting wrapping paper quality and dimensions at the kiosk, viewing the customized wrapping paper at the kiosk, and printing the customized wrapping paper at the kiosk.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for providing customer support to an electrical device user. The method comprises the steps of establishing a communications link between a customer support representative and the user with a customer support unit associated with the electrical device, and transmitting communications of the customer support representative to the user while the user is at the electrical device via the customer support unit. In a preferred arrangement, audio and video data are exchanged between the customer support representative and the user through the provision of a customer support unit that electrically connects with the electrical device (e.g., a peripheral device).