Abstract: A flexible sheet handling apparatus comprising an input section for receiving the flexible sheet, a reversion section for rotating the flexible sheet about an axis of motion and an output section for transferring the rotated flexible sheet to a sheet processing system.

Abstract: A market based learning mechanism for controlling smart matter learn an appropriate organizational control structure for a multiple actuator-sensor dynamical system for use in optimizing system control. The more successful one or more of a plurality of control methods are in predicting system operation, the more weight the successful methods are given in controlling the system.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that modify an allocation solution for a plurality of implementation units based on a determination of whether the solution can be improved by changing the operation of the implementation units.

Abstract: A marking apparatus is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that approximately solve an actuation allocation problem by breaking the solution into modules, which may or may not be overlapping. The solution to the actuation allocation problem is expressed in terms of solutions for each of the modules. The solutions for the modules serve as constraints for a solution of the optimization problem on each module. The optimization problem for each module is decomposed into further modules until the modules consist of a small enough number of individual implementation units so that the solution for the module can be solved using conventional optimization techniques.

Abstract: A PC board actuator that emulates a muscle fiber includes a first pressure source, a second pressure source lower than the first source, at least one expansion chamber alternately communicating with the first and second pressure sources, first and second valves mounted with the PC board that opens and closes the chamber with respect to the first and second pressure sources, and an actuator member interacting with the expansion chamber to apply a force to the object. The actuator is preferably formed using planar batch technology and the valves preferably comprise electrically controllable flap valves mounted on the PC board. Alternatively, the actuator includes antagonistically arranged expansion chambers that operatively apply reciprocating forces to the object. In other embodiments, the actuator includes plural expansion chambers arranged in series or in parallel in order to increase the overall extent of attainable displacement or to amplify the force generated by the actuator.

Abstract: A method for problem solving in a computer system includes an applications module for sending a problem statement to a complexity module, which configures a solving module with configuration parameters and also determines expected problem solver behavior. The solving module selects a set of parameter configuration vectors, determines a set of search space points, performs a partial search based on the parameter configuration vectors, and determines actual problem solver behavior. The solving module then determines whether a problem solution has been found, whether to perform a solver iteration step or request a complexity module to perform an adaptation step.

Abstract: A method for problem solving in a computer system includes an applications module for sending a problem statement to a complexity module. The complexity module configures a solving module with configuration parameters and also determines expected solver behavior. A solving module determines actual solver behavior, determines whether a problem solution has been found, and determines whether to perform a solver iteration step or to request a complexity module to perform an adaptation step.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing the position, size, shape and location orientation of one or more objects in two dimensions. The position sensor uses arrays of light sensors mounted on a substrate. When an object passes in proximity to the light sensors light energy from a plurality of light sources is either reflected from the object to the light sensors, or is emitted directly to the light sensors. The light energy is then converted to individual signals and transmitted through circuit traces in a printed circuit board to a local controller. The information may then be processed to determine the size, position, shape and location orientation of an object.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed for use in a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration. The cartridge may be replacably attached to the marking apparatus, and may contain one or more marking materials, propellant, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate on two sides. A substrate has a first edge as a leading edge in a process direction and a first side in a face-up orientation. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an input pathway for receiving the substrate from a substrate processing station, a station for processing the face-up side of the substrate, a reversion pathway for reverting the substrate and returning the reverted substrate to the input pathway. After reversion, a second side of the substrate is in the face up orientation and the first edge is the leading edge. A merge point merges the reverted substrate into the input pathway for processing the face-up side of the substrate in the print station.

Abstract: A flexible sheet handling apparatus comprising an input section for receiving the flexible sheet, a reversion section for rotating the flexible sheet about an axis of motion and an output section for transferring the rotated flexible sheet to a sheet processing system.

Abstract: A method of marking is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Liquid marking material, such as ink, is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and using data is disclosed. There is at least one sensor that placed within a workspace for sensing vibrations associated with at least one machine operating in the workspace. In addition, there is at least one tag associated with a particular job. The tag indicates the contemporaneous status of tasks relating to the job. At least one processor is in communication with each of the at least one acoustic sensors and at least one tag. This processor receives data relating to acoustic and task status from the at least one acoustic sensor and at least one tag. The acoustic sensor senses vibration and/or sound. Workflow analysis and fault diagnosis and prediction are then based on data collected.

Abstract: A method of marking employs a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is single-pass, full-color printing.

Abstract: A method for automatically converting print jobs stored in printshop job description language (PSDL) files into workflow for a specific printshop is disclosed. A print job stored in a PSDL file is extracted from the PSDL file and used to generate a proposed workflow and accompanying job cost estimate. The workflow generated by the illustrated embodiment merges the job resource requirements of the print job with the resource and material availability of the printshop. The generated workflow and an accompanying job cost estimate for producing the workflow in the printshop are transmitted to the original job submitter for approval prior to beginning the printing process. Alternately, the job submitter is capable of submitting the print job in PSDL format to a printshop via the Internet.

Abstract: Position sensors having an active area are assembled into an array in which the electrodes of adjacent sensors are offset and interleaved so that the electrodes are adjacent an active area, thereby avoiding dead spots. The position sensor array is position adjacent to the path of an object opposite to a source of light. As the object passes it alters the distribution of light on the position sensor array that generates signals indicative of the objects position in response to the changes in impinging light.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.