Abstract: Methods of recovering from disabled printer states due to the unavailability of print consumables such as toner, ink, or other colorants. Some of those methods use a conversion to a degraded format, such as process black or grayscale. Others of those methods transfer a print job to a printer that is not disabled, the print job optionally including instructions in a printer language or a metafile. A color printer capable of recovering from a disabled printer state due to the unavailability of colorants by converting a print job to a degraded format, such as true black to process black or color to grayscale printing. A printer capable of recovering from a disabled printer state due to the unavailability of colorants by forwarding a print job to another compatible printer or a print server.

Abstract: A system and methods enable the gathering and transferring of usage information for an electronic document so that the document's usage history can be tracked. A document history is recorded into an electronic document through the execution of a tracking module located within the electronic document. When the electronic document is accessed, the tracking module executes to record document history information into the electronic document. The disclosed system and methods provide a convenient way to track secured documents, maintain document databases, and offer feedback to authors on how documents are used so that document contents can be tailored to better suit the needs of an audience.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus including a chassis having a panel, the panel having an opening defined therethrough. The apparatus has a scanner carriage which is moveably supported within the chassis. A carriage locking device includes an elongated locking member which is moveably disposed within the opening in the panel and, when the locking member is moved in a downward direction within the opening, the locking device secures the scanner carriage in a relatively fixed position with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A method of powering up a printing device having a component that employs a warm-up operation, the method including, upon receiving power to the printing device, detecting delay indicia, and selectively delaying the warm-up operation based on the detected delay indicia.

Abstract: A system including a client computer and a remotely networked printer provides deliberate audible feedback to a computer user regarding print jobs sent to the remote computer. The type of feedback presented is user-configurable and non-disruptive to a user's computing activities. The system is capable of providing users of remote shared printers with the same type of audible printing indications typically present when using a local personal printer.

Abstract: A device and method for retaining media in a predetermined position for imaging. A platen for a flatbed imaging device includes an electrostatic charge that is imparted to the platen either passively or actively. The electrostatic charge is imparted by a movement of a charged object relative to the platen. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic charge is imparted to the platen passively in the sense that the electrostatic charge is imparted by the placement of a platen cover having one triboelectric value in proximity to a platen having another triboelectric value. In an active embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic charge is imparted to the platen actively in the sense that the requisite electrostatic charge is imparted by movement of a charge emitting device, such as a corona wire, in close proximity to the platen.

Abstract: A printer error is detected and logged in an error log. If the same printer error has occurred within a predetermined time period, an error message is generated on the printer's control panel and a network administrator is notified of the printer errors. If the same printer error has not occurred within the predetermined time period, the printer is rebooted. If the same printer error has occurred a predetermined number of consecutive times, an error message is generated on the printer's control panel and a network administrator is notified of the printer errors. If the same printer error has not occurred a predetermined number of times, the printer is rebooted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling a sheet of media in an imaging apparatus wherein an image is deposited on, and fused to, the sheet of media. The sheet of media is cooled before the media exits the imaging apparatus. The apparatus includes a cooling surface configured to contact the sheet of media whereupon heat energy is transferred from the relatively hot sheet of media to the cooling surface which can act as a heat sink to dissipate heat energy. Other devices such as fans, cooling fins, coolant circulation systems and the like can be employed by the apparatus to further facilitate dissipation of the heat energy from the cooling surface.

Abstract: Input print media is received at a printing device. In response to a request from a user to stamp routing information on the print media, the print media is stamped with the routing information. This stamping may be stamping of the received print media, or alternatively the received print media may be unaltered and another print media output having printed thereon the content of the received print media and the routing information.

Abstract: A device and method for retaining media in a predetermined position for imaging. A platen for a flatbed imaging device includes an electrostatic charge that is imparted to the platen either passively or actively. The electrostatic charge is imparted by a movement of a charged object relative to the platen. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic charge is imparted to the platen passively in the sense that the electrostatic charge is imparted by the placement of a platen cover having one triboelectric value in proximity to a platen having another triboelectric value. In an active embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic charge is imparted to the platen actively in the sense that the requisite electrostatic charge is imparted by movement of a charge emitting device, such as a corona wire, in close proximity to the platen.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning a medium and reproducing an image of the medium includes a first scanner adapted to scan a first side of the medium and a second scanner adapted to scan a second side of the medium. As such, the first scanner detects one of a presence and an absence of a first image on the first side of the medium and the second scanner detects one of a presence and an absence of a second image on the second side of the medium.

Abstract: A method of network virus exclusion comprises identifying client computers that are at least one of virus susceptible and virus infected, and isolating those virus susceptible client computers and virus infected client computers from authorized communication with a server of the network. A virus exclusion network system comprises a client computer including a virus protector and a network server including a virus monitor. The virus monitor is configured for preventing an authorized network connection between the client computer and the server when the client computer fails to produce at least one of a report an up-to-date virus scan of the client computer and a report of enablement of the virus protector of the client computer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling a sheet of media in an imaging apparatus wherein an image is deposited on, and fused to, the sheet of media. The sheet of media is cooled before the media exits the imaging apparatus. The apparatus includes a cooling surface configured to contact the sheet of media whereupon heat energy is transferred from the relatively hot sheet of media to the cooling surface which can act as a heat sink to dissipate heat energy. Other devices such as fans, cooling fins, coolant circulation systems and the like can be employed by the apparatus to further facilitate dissipation of the heat energy from the cooling surface.