Abstract: A printer for receiving document data from a computer system and printing an interface onto a surface. The interface is based on the document data, which includes identity data indicative of at least one identity. The identity is, in turn, associated with a region of the interface. The interface also includes coded data. The printer includes a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the identity data. A printing mechanism in the printer prints the interface onto the surface, including printing the coded data using an ink including an infrared-absorbing dye.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method of automatically laying out a print job to be printed on a printer having a multiplicity of available media sizes. The method utilizes the ability of the printer to print full-bleed on at least some of the four edges of the paper media, and includes automatically performing the calculations to determine the appropriate shift in the location of the print area on the paper media, as well as determining whether the print area must be rotated to obtain the best fit to the media, thereby minimizing the amount of post-printing trimming required. The invention is useful in simplex and duplex printing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image reading device, comprises a stacking section for stacking a document, a reading section for reading an image of the document, a separating section for separating the document stacked on the stacking section sheet by sheet, a conveying section for conveying the document separated by the separating section to the reading section and a discharging section for discharging the document to the outside of the device. In the device, sheet separating performance is enhanced. Additionally, the device body is reduced in cost and size, excellent reading operation can constantly be realized, and device assembling property is enhanced.

Abstract: Internet-based printing to a home printer in which the print job is pre-rasterized at the cable head end and sent in rasterized format to the set top box. Because the print job is pre-rasterized at the cable head end, and not at the set top box, resources are not wasted at the set top box when they are more readily available at the cable head end. In addition, because of the high speed communication network already in existence between the cable head end and the set top box, even large pre-rasterized print jobs can be transmitted to the set top box in reasonable amounts of time, meaning more quickly than a situation in which it was the set top box that performed rasterization.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus (2000) is disclosed, which comprises forming elements (2002) for forming an image, a memory (2006) indicating relative desirability of utilising the forming elements (2002) for forming the image, and processing means (2008) for computing image recording signals using input image signals (2012) and the stored data. The use of a particular forming element is thereby biased dependent upon the relative desirability data of other forming elements, the corresponding input signal for the particular forming element, and a term for the particular forming element.

Abstract: A composite image generator for producing a lenticular novelty item at a point of purchase is disclosed. The composite image generator receives a theme selection and a captured digital image. Images associated with the selected theme and the captured digital image are then interlaced and/or combined to produce a final composite image. The final composite image is printed and a lenticular surface is applied to produce the lenticular novelty item at a point of purchase.

Abstract: The invention provides a print data management apparatus which can use print data advantageously in terms of data capacity. A database server performs a registration process and a providing process. When a data registration request is received from a shop, the registration process registers receipt data included in the received data registration request in association with data name information, password information, and the like. At the same time, the registration process transmits usage certificate data which includes the information and to a buyer. When a data usage request is received from a print server, and when a password of a record in which the same data name as that included in the received data usage request is registered matches a password included in the received data usage request, the providing process transmits receipt data specified by the data name included in the received data usage request to the print server.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an original resting glass sheet for resting allowing an original thereon, a support device for supporting an end portion of the original resting glass sheet, and a movable image reading unit for reading image information of the original, wherein the support device is provided with a cutout for preventing the support device from coming into contact with the image reading unit when the image reading unit moves outwardly beyond the end portion of the original resting glass sheet.

Abstract: A method for submitting jobs to a reproduction center includes electronically transmitting document data representing documents to be printed from a client to the reproduction center. A submission form description indicating print options currently available at the reproduction center is created on behalf of the reproduction center. The submission form description is suited for electronic transmission to a client and for generating a submission form at the client which is capable of being filled-in electronically by the client. An electronic document file is created upon receipt of a job request including document data from a client. The document data in the job request are stored, and the submission form description is sent to the client. Upon receipt of the submission form from the client with job specifications filled-in, the job specifications are stored in an electronic job ticket, which is linked to the document file.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing with production scanners is disclosed. A driver is provided which enables real-time communications between a scanning application and scanner devices. The driver includes an application program interface which is coupled with one or more personality modules, one for each scanner device. The personality module facilitates the command and control of a particular scanner device. The application program interface can communicate with more than one personality module at any given time to enable parallel simultaneous operation of multiple scanner devices. The driver delivers resultant image data from the scans to a commonly accessible buffer where the scanning application can asynchronously retrieve it.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for transmission of facsimiles via the Internet. An Internet fax driver is installed on a computer to send a document converted to an image using an electronic mail message over the Internet to an Internet fax machine. The electronic mail message, or fax request, can be either to Print a Document which is printed at the Internet fax machine or to Fax a Document which is sent from the Internet fax machine to a destination G3 fax machine designated by the user. Exemplary embodiments of the Internet fax driver include a driver which automatically converts a document to an image and a driver that allows the user to select a document already an image to send.

Abstract: A system and method for accepting raster data from a Postscript or equivalent image data generator, identifying portions of the raster image which contain continuous tone data and linework data, dividing those portions into separate tiles and compressing the data within each tile by a compression method optimized for the type of image data within the tile. The compression algorithms are based upon conventional JPEG or LZW techniques, but enhanced to more efficiently process image data sets with large amounts of blank data.

Abstract: A relay device for providing communication between a sensing device and a computer system includes first and second communications modules and a processor. The first communications module receives first indicating data transmitted from the sensing device in a first format. The indicating data is sensed by the sensing device when it is placed into an operative position in relation to first coded data forming part of a first interface disposed on a first surface. In particular, the indicating data includes a first region identity indicative of an identity of a region associated with the first interface. The processor is configured to generate second indicating data based on the first indicating data. The second communications module then transmits the second indicating data in a second format to the computer system.

Abstract: Document processing systems are provided that are capable of facilitating scanning of one or more documents via multiple scanners. In this regard, a preferred document processing system includes a document assembly system. The document assembly system is configured to electrically communicate with a first scanner, which may be assigned to a first group of scanners, and a second scanner, which may be assigned to a second group of scanners. The scanners provide scan information to the document assembly system. The document assembly system is configured to correlate the scan information received from the first scanner with the scan information received from the second scanner. Computer readable media and methods also are provided.

Abstract: A method for representing an extended color gamut digital image on a hard-copy output medium having a limited color gamut comprising the steps of adjusting the color values of the extended color gamut digital image to fit within the limited color gamut of the output medium to form a limited color gamut digital image, producing a limited color gamut output print from the limited color gamut digital image on the hard-copy output medium, determining a residual image representing a difference between the extended color gamut digital image and the limited color gamut digital image, and encoding the residual image on the output print using a digital encoding means such that the residual image and the limited color gamut output print are adapted to be used to form a reconstructed extended color gamut digital image.

Abstract: A scanner is disclosed that operates to maintain the image sensor in the scanner at a proper exposure level during the scanning of a page despite variations in the scan rate. The scanner includes an illumination system operable to produce light in response to receiving power and to project the light, as a scanning light, onto the page being scanned. In addition, the scanner includes apparatus for moving the scanning light relative to the page at a scan rate, an image sensor for measuring the light reflected from the page and an exposure control device for controlling the exposure of the image sensor. The exposure control device operates to control the exposure of the image sensor by regulating the power in relationship to the scan rate.

Abstract: An image to be printed is stored in an image storage memory of approximately 1.3 Mbytes. An image access unit accesses the image and transfers the image to a printhead interface on command from the central processing unit. The printhead interface transforms the image to a 1600 dpi dithered bi-level CMY image for printing by a monolithic printhead.

Abstract: When an input image and a sender information image independent from each other are combined into one transmission image in which the sender information image which has a lower line count (smaller area) is laid out in the upper portion while the input image having a greater area than the sender information image is laid out in the lower portion, both the input image and sender information image are individually rotated by 180 degrees before encoding, then the transmission image is encoded by JPEG from the input image side having a greater area.

Abstract: In a unitary business machine with a top, bottom, front, back and two sides, a customized form output apparatus includes an electronic data storage device for storing preselected customized forms. A display is connected to the data storage device for displaying stored forms. A selector is connected to the data storage device for selecting forms from the display and an integral hard copy printer is connected to the data storage device for printing a hard copy of the forms as selected. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a wall mount connected to the back for mounting the apparatus on a wall. In further aspects of the invention, the display is a flat panel display and the selector is a touch screen overlaying the display.

Abstract: A computer for a user employs an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to communicate with a printer. When print data are transmitted by the computer to the printer, a configuration file generator generates a configuration file based on print setup information received from the computer. A setup reference unit then employs the configuration file to generate a menu having a tree structure, and this menu is displayed on a user interface of the computer. The user confirms, by using a browser, the processing state of a print job and the print setup.