Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for image processing. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing an analysis corresponding to a sequence of drawing commands that create a bit-map when executed and generating a set of image segments based on the analysis corresponding to the sequence of drawing commands.

Abstract: A secure printing method includes providing a user terminal with a user interface. The user terminal and interface enable a user to select a secure printing mode for printing a document. In the secure printing mode, a secure print job stored in the user terminal is released through execution of a secure release procedure. In this way, the document can be printed at a selected one of a plurality of designated printers. When a user selects the secure printing mode, page description language data for the secure print job is generated in a format, or multiple formats, compatible with the designated printers. The page description language data is stored at the user terminal and a request is communicated to each of the designated printers. The request identifies the secure print job, but the job itself is not transmitted with the request. When the predefined secure release procedure is executed, the secure print job is released to a selected printer.

Abstract: An image file representing at least a portion of a printed document is processed to highlight the differences between foreground material (e.g., text or other characters) from background. The method includes selecting a neighborhood of pixels, determining a weighted average of an attribute values (e.g., luminance) for each pixel, and modifying each pixel's value based on the weighted average. Graylevel scaling, error diffusion, and a bit level conversion are also performed each pixel ends up with either a first attribute value level (e.g., luminance of 0) or a second attribute value level (e.g., luminance of 255).

Abstract: In a method or system for trapping print data with a plurality of respective objects, the objects being individually transferred into a bit map pixel file, at least one overfill is determined for the respective object relative to color regions bordering the respective object in the pixel file according to predetermined trapping rules. The object and the at least one overfill are inserted into the pixel file, wherein the object and the overfill are rastered in the pixel file upon insertion.

Abstract: A method of communicating non-native print objects in MO:DCA Architecture for controlling and operating RFID writer or reader devices without requiring separate control data streams or systems to be implemented at the host computer. Data references and command identifiers are placed by application program means at the host computer into the page description data so that RFID information can be retrieved and downloaded to the printer and RFID apparatus when the print data is being processed in the print server or main processor of the printer without interfering with normal operation of the printer itself.

Abstract: Techniques for creating an individual image sized to a desired print area plus a desired amount of bleed area to thereby reduce an amount of ink applied outside a desired print area are presented. In an embodiment, each of the desired print area dimensions, a default ink bleed width, and an ink bleed adjustment setting are obtained. The individual image comprises an image container sized to a desired print area plus a desired amount of bleed area. Each of the respective dimensions of the image container of the individual image is set to the corresponding respective dimension of the desired print area plus the default ink bleed width. A base image providing image content for the image container is sized to the dimensions of the image container if dimensions of the base image do not already equal the dimensions of the image container.

Abstract: A lenticular print and method of producing that substantially reduces progressive pixel misalignment to produce a lenticular print that has increased angular resolution. The lenticular print includes a dot matrix pixel arrangement that is rotated with respect to the X-Y axis of a printer. The printed output of the rotated dot matrix pixel arrangement requires substantially no re-sampling interpolation. The lenticular print includes a conventional lenticular sheet having a plurality of convex shaped lenticular elements wherein the axis of the lenticular elements are substantially aligned with the axis of the pixel direction.

Abstract: An image processing device converts original image data to converted image data by performing a scaling process and a color conversion process on the original image data; determines, for each pixel in the converted image data, whether or not at least one set of original pixel data corresponding to the converted pixel includes predetermined data; and produces output image data based on the converted image data. The image processing device selects, for each pixel in the converted image data, a first halftone method when no set of original pixel data corresponding to the converted pixel includes the predetermined data, and a second halftone method when the at least one set of original pixel data corresponding to the converted pixel includes the predetermined data. The image processing device produces output pixel data for each converted pixel in the selected halftone method.

Abstract: Techniques for printed document identification allow a user to more readily identify a printed document. The techniques may include receiving document data for printing a document and accessing information to identify the document for printing. Document data may relate to printed document properties, such as, for example, document appearance and document content. The document data and the accessed identifying information may be formatted to appropriately meet the requirements of the printer. Formatting the document data and the accessed identifying information for printing may include formatting a page for printing such that the page includes at least a portion of the document data and the accessed identifying information, and the accessed identifying information is between document margins and printer allowable margins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of electronic documents, such as a merge utility, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the merge utility merges two types of documents at least one of which is first converted from a format that is not supported by an output device to one that is. In an embodiment, one document may contain information related to an overlay and the other may contain information related to a background. In an embodiment, the conversion is performed in a format that is supported by an output device.

Abstract: A printing cost charging method of a printing system wherein the printing system includes a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus capable of communicating data with the mobile terminal, and a server capable of communicating data with the mobile terminal via a wireless communication network. The printing cost charging method comprises the steps of transmitting printing data from the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus, transmitting printing information relating to the printing data from the image forming apparatus to the mobile terminal, transmitting the printing information from the mobile terminal to the server, and controlling the server to charge a printing cost to the mobile terminal based on the printing information. Costly equipment and potential errors are reduced as the server of the printing system which charges the printing cost interfaces with the mobile terminal without the Internet.

Abstract: A method for controlling and monitoring, from a server, transfers of jobs from clients connected in the network to shared resources connected in the network.

Abstract: A method for controlling and monitoring, from a server, transfers of jobs from clients connected in the network to shared resources connected in the network.

Abstract: A method for controlling and monitoring, from a server, transfers of jobs from clients connected in the network to shared resources connected in the network.

Abstract: A print job management method and system receive variable information print instructions in a container file. The container file includes print files and resource files. The method/system decomposes the container file into multiple sub-container files and processes the sub-container files through at least two print engines. In additional embodiments, the method/system can reprocess less than all of the print files if there is a need to reprint any portion of the original print job. In one embodiment, the sub-container files each comprise a subset of the print files and all of the resource files. In a different embodiment, the resource files are stored on a shared resource and the sub-container files only comprise a subset of the print files.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and medium outputting a wide gamut space image in which one or more parameters that are needed to convert an existing color space into a wide gamut space are experimentally determined and then are applied to an image. The apparatus includes a feature extraction module to extract one or more feature differences between a standard gamut and a wide gamut of an image, a color range setting module to set a hue range according to the extracted feature differences and one or more experimentally determined parameters, and a conversion module to convert the image according to the extracted feature differences, the experimentally determined parameters, and the hue range.

Abstract: Under a contention between a copy job and a print job, it is possible that a general user misunderstands that the payment he has made for the copy job is mistakenly used on the print job requested by another user. One solution to avoid such undesirable possibility is to display information indicating that the billing process is correctly done. Yet, the general user may fail to notice the display. In view of this, a billing and printing system prevents occurrence of job contention as long as the balance of payment made by a general user remains. An MFP included in the system does not accept any print job if a balance of received payment remains, and does not accept any payment if there is a queued print job.

Abstract: A method of controlling scaled-down (size-reduced) printing for a host device and the host device using the method, the method including inputting a scaling-down mode for the print document through a user interface (UI) of the host device; inputting a scaling-down rate fine adjustment for the scaling-down mode to generate a new scaling-down rate; and applying the new scaling-down rate to the print document. Thus, a user is provided with the convenience of obtaining a scaled-down print result that is not distorted.

Abstract: A server enables a user at a station to scan a document. The station has a computer connected to the network, a browser installed on the computer to enable the user to browse the network, and a scanner in communication with the computer. The server has a database of scanner drivers, a driver selection system that enables the user to select a driver for the scanner from the database of scanner drivers, and a delivery system that transfers a selected driver to the computer and causes the computer to execute the driver. The user uses the browser and the driver selection system to select a driver for the scanner. The delivery system then sends the driver to the computer, and the computer executes the driver. The driver uses the scanner to scan a document, and scanning data corresponding to the document is saved in a predetermined location.

Abstract: An electronic file approval management system includes information terminal devices for a creator creating an electronic file and for an approver approving the file. The device for approver includes an electronic information transmitter-receiver storing and retrieving information with the device for creator, an input unit being input an approval result, a first print data converter converting the file into first print data, a first approval information extractor extracting first approval information, and a key creation unit creating an approval key.