Abstract: A method of making purchases over a computer network includes accessing an agent site on the network, retrieving product information from at least one supplier site on the network, and recording information regarding products designated for purchase from supplier sites in an electronic shopping cart resident at the agent site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for conserving resources when images are printed. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment comprises receiving a communication comprising at least a plurality of images, the images lacking information specifying image attributes, analyzing each image for at least one characteristic corresponding to the image attribute, determining a maximum amount of reduction in size for each one of the images based upon the analyzed characteristic, determining a page layout for selected ones of the plurality of images at the determined reduced-size such that at least two reduced-size images are laid out together onto a single sheet of paper, and communicating the determined page layout to a printing unit so that the sheet of paper is printed having the selected reduced-sized images.

Abstract: A printer comprising one or more consumables and a network connection searches a network connected via the network connection for pricing for the one or more consumables. A user is notified when pricing below a user-specified amount is found.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing with a printer includes detecting an errant page condition, and interrupting a print job in response to the possible errant page condition. An errant page condition can be the monitoring the printer for any waste of a consumable that will increase the cost per page to print. The cost per errant page can be approximated, and when the approximated cost per errant page is above a selected threshold level, the print job is interrupted. A list of options is then presented to a user interface to allow the user to select a course of action. A printing apparatus implements this method. The controller is programmed to interrupt the print job and present the options to the user interface.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods provide a cost per page indication that reflects one or more consumable costs associated with a document. The document can be optionally modified responsive to the cost per page indication.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for print previewing are provided. One method includes providing a print preview that reflects a consumable availability status and optionally proceeding with a print job.

Abstract: A proof sheet allows selection of objects for further processing with different options. Objects are selectable with different processing options for each object. A scanner is used to scan the proof sheet and identify the objects and corresponding processing options. In one embodiment, the objects are images, and the further processing is printing of the images.

Abstract: A system includes an operating mode in which the system detects requests to print nearly-blank pages and suppresses their printing. The detection and suppression may occur in a computer or other host device, in a printer, or in an intermediate device. A nearly-blank page may be identified in any of multiple ways. The mode may optionally be switched off so that nearly-blank pages are printed. The mode may optionally apply to only the last page in a print job.

Abstract: A system for facilitating image archival. The system includes a printer for receiving data and selectively printing the data on a first medium based on one or more predetermined parameters. An archiving system disposed within the printer automatically archives the data via a second medium based on the predetermined parameters. In a more specific embodiment, the printer is a photo printer that includes a controller for controlling image printing and image archiving operations performed by the printer and the archiving system based on the one or more predetermined parameters, which are programmable. The photo printer includes a user-interface that accepts user-input for programming said predetermined parameters. The archiving system includes a compact disk writer. The electronic storage medium includes a compact disk. In an alternative embodiment, the archiving system includes software and communications links for connecting to an archival website to store the image data.

Abstract: A processor executes a document rendering application for an open document. When the open document is unedited and a predetermined portion of the processor is available, the document is rendered to an output buffer. The rendering is suspended when a predetermined interrupt is received and is resumed after the predetermined interrupt has been serviced. When the document has been edited, any rendered portion of the document is removed from the output buffer and the document is reset as being unedited.

Abstract: A printer comprises at least one print control that can be operated by a user. In response to operation of the print control, the printer generates and transmits a request from the printer to a general purpose computer that has data stored in it. The request contains information to cause the computer to execute a print operation. The printer prints the data received from the computer.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a scanning device for converting one or more configuration symbols on a printed medium into scan data. The scanning device is capable of scanning a configuration sheet and creating the scan data, including the one or more configuration symbols. The electronic device further includes a configuration device that receives the scan data and is capable of extracting the one or more configuration symbols to create one or more corresponding address-independent configuration values. The configuration device is further capable of configuring the electronic device with the one or more address-independent configuration values.

Abstract: A system includes an operating mode in which the system detects requests to print nearly-blank pages and suppresses their printing. The detection and suppression may occur in a computer or other host device, in a printer, or in an intermediate device. A nearly-blank page may be identified in any of multiple ways. The mode may optionally be switched off so that nearly-blank pages are printed. The mode may optionally apply to only the last page in a print job.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a scanning device for converting indicia and markings on a printed medium into scan data and a configuration device that receives the scan data. The scanning device is capable of scanning a user-fillable configuration sheet marked by a user of the electronic device and creating the scan data, with the scan data including one or more configuration indicia. The configuration device is capable of decoding the one or more configuration indicia to create one or more corresponding configuration values and configuring the electronic device with the one or more configuration values.

Abstract: Methods and systems can automatically select an N-Up printing mode that is tailored to ensure that a printed document contains information that is desirably decipherable by a user. Where a document contains text, the inventive methods and systems can ensure that all text on the document is readable. Where a document contains graphics, the methods and systems can ensure that the graphics are printed at a desired level of resolution.

Abstract: A system to determine the length of time, known as the latency time, that is required to wait between transmitting and receiving data for a half-duplex electromagnetic transceiver having a transmitter and receiver wherein the receiver is electromagnetically coupled to the transmitter. The determination of the latency time is accomplished by the use of a control circuit that operates to turn the transmitter to an on state. The control circuit then monitors the receiver to determine when the receiver also goes to an on state due to the electromagnetic coupling. The control circuit subsequently turns off the transmitter and the length of time for the receiver to recover to an off state is measured. This length of time is the latency time and is used in subsequent transmission of data.

Abstract: An optical measurement device produces quality light scatter measurements using Bidirectional Reflective Distribution Function (BRDF) techniques to analyze data generated from an accurate, portable, relatively inexpensive scatterometer. The scatterometer is provided with interchangeable scanning heads, each scanning head being equipped with ROM data storage containing certain configuration information about the scanning head. The use of the interchangeable scanning heads allows the present invention to make measurements of light scatter for a wide variety of applications and samples under a variety of environmental conditions where scatter measurement has previously not been feasible.