Abstract: Prior to image output of output information, printing information is analyzed and an important inspection processing item regarding inspection to be performed on the image output, and an inspection point, are selected. Inspection instruction information including the important inspection processing item and the inspection point that have been selected is generated for inspection of the output results which are image-output. The generated inspection instruction information is then output.

Abstract: A structured document conversion apparatus is configured to convert structured document data that contains document data in a plurality of nodes in a tree structure and can associate a print attribute with each of the plurality of nodes. The structured document conversion apparatus reflects a print attribute of a lower node in other portions. The structured document conversion apparatus deletes the lower layer print attribute. The structured document conversion apparatus generates structured document data in which the print attribute is associated with a highest hierarchical layer in the tree structure.

Abstract: A data collecting unit receives a plurality of types of status data from an image forming apparatus and stores the status data in a status database. A data generating unit generates a plurality of types of target data for determining a maintenance sign, based on the status data. A first determining unit determines whether each of the status data exceeds a predetermined reference value. A second determining unit performs weighted majority decision based on a determination result from the first determining unit and a weight value set for each of the status data, and determines whether there is a maintenance sign taking all the status data into consideration.

Abstract: In one example, a system may suggest an order in which to read documents in a set. When a person has read a document in the set, the system may suggest the next document to read. The next document may be selected based on criteria such as the document's dissimilarity from the document(s) that have already been read. Choosing, as the next document, a document that is dissimilar from documents that have already been read exposes the reader to new information, thereby enhancing the reader's return on investment for the time spent reading the documents.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus so as to communicate with each other, a splitting unit that splits a page to be printed into a plurality of areas according to a preset splitting rule, a setting unit that respectively sets a print condition, which affects a usage amount of a color material used for printing, for each of the plurality of areas, and a printing unit that prints the page to be printed based on the print condition set to each of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus to automatically determine whether first and second reading units, which are opposed to each other with a document interposed therebetween, are normally operated and a method of controlling the same includes a duplex path to guide the document, which is read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit, to be transported to the first reading unit and the second reading unit again in a state in which the first side and the second side of the document are reversed. The document is subjected to a primary reading operation using the first reading unit and the second reading unit, and the document, which was subjected to the primary reading operation, is then guided via the duplex path and passes through the first reading unit and the second reading unit.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus performs communications in a non-contact manner with a mobile terminal device storing print information. The image forming apparatus stores, in association with each other, identification information for identifying a reading unit configured to read the print information, function information indicating a function of processing the print information, and function setting information indicating process contents of the function; reads the print information stored in the mobile terminal device with a reading unit disposed in the image forming apparatus at a position according to the function information and the function setting information; acquires the stored function information and function setting information associated with the identification information held by the reading unit that has read the print information; and processes the print information based on the acquired function information and function setting information.

Abstract: A scan unit having an electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise blocking unit and usable with an image forming apparatus includes a document plate supporting a document, a reading module which is disposed under the document plate, performs a reciprocating motion, and includes an image sensor that reads an image of the document and generates an image signal in response to the read image, a flexible flat cable (FFC) which is connected to the reading module and functions as a transfer path of power and the image signal, and an EMI noise blocking unit which blocks noise that occurs when the image signal of the reading module is transmitted.

Abstract: When performing marginless printing for content data of a size which is the same as the sheet size, white streaks occur in the print result due to a convey error. Further, when object-data items included in the content data are simply magnified, a necessary object-data item may not be printed partly and/or entirely. Therefore, the present invention provides a printer magnifying the object-data items included in the content data appropriately on the printer side. The sheet size described in the content data is compared to the size of a sheet set in the printer and the content data is magnified so that an object-data item such as a text-data item considered as necessary for a user does not extend off the sheet size.

Abstract: The one embodiment of present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a memory unit that stores image data, a main control block that causes an image forming section to output an output image onto an output medium on the basis of the image data generated by an image reading section and stored in the memory unit, case members that houses any one of the memory unit and the main control block or both, respectively, and a cooling mechanism that is located in a predetermined position of the case members and guides an air flow that has passes through one case member to the other case member.

Abstract: A print method and apparatus for minimizing effects of error in repositioning during printing process may include generating successive scans of a recording head, wherein the scans may partially overlap to account for the error in repositioning. As an example, after the recording head makes one scan across the document being printed, the document (or the head) may be repositioned for the next scan so that several print elements of the recording head are aligned to lie between certain rows of dots printed in the previous scan, resulting in a higher number of rows in the overlapping portion of the scans. Additional features may include varying the row/column arrangement of dots in the overlap portion, or performing error diffusion and correction for different areas of resolution in the scans.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disclosed that includes plural line image sensors partially overlapped with each other in an overlapped reading portion, the image reading apparatus characterized by: plural light sources disposed so as to face the overlapped reading portion; a light source turn-on unit sequentially and independently turning on the light sources; an optical unit converging each light emitted from the light sources onto the overlapped reading portion; and a position shift detecting unit detecting a position shift of a reading position of the line image sensors in the overlapped reading portion based on data of the overlapped reading portion.

Abstract: When a second detector determines that a character image has a halftone (YES in #1) and a third detector (48) determines that a font size of the character image is equal to or greater than a threshold value ? and equal to or smaller than a threshold value ? (YES in step #4), a fourth detector determines whether a presently focused pixel constitutes a particular portion of a character (step #5). When the fourth detector determines that the pixel data of the presently focused pixel constitutes the particular portion of the character (YES in step #5), the image processing section sets the pixel data to be subjected to a second screen processing which is performed at a higher gradation level (step #6).

Abstract: A system for controlling printing of a print job in a printing system is provided. In practice, a first value corresponding with a first proposed number of prints to be produced with the printing system is stored in a memory communicating with the controller. When the first value exceeds a number for which copyright clearance is available, a controller changes the first value corresponding with the first proposed number of prints to be produced to a second value corresponding with a second proposed number of prints to be produced. Additionally, when a selected condition is met the controller uses the second value corresponding with the second proposed number of prints to be produced to control the number of prints produced by the printing system.

Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing apparatus converts a binary image into a grayscale image by increasing the size and information quantity of the binary image. The image processing method includes generating a plurality of lookup tables having multiple gray level values assigned to a predetermined pattern of the binary image such that the gray level is retrieved from the plurality of lookup tables depending on the context of the block being processed. The binary image may be converted into the grayscale image by applying the gray value of one of the plurality of lookup tables that corresponds to the context, such as the frequency components of the binary image. With this configuration, since the size and information quantity of an image can be reduced for transmission, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality when the image is restored, while also printing at a higher speed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for capturing fingerprint data in an ordered sequence and using the captured sequence to configure a complex multi-function print system device to a set of device specific settings to perform intended workflow processes. Each finger has a unique associated code. A code sequence is associated with each stored set of settings. A user desiring to configure the device scans their fingerprints in a predefined ordered sequence. Settings associated with the entered sequence are retrieved and displayed for user approval. Thereafter, the complex print system device can be easily configured to the displayed settings. Other embodiments are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: In continuous printing of plural sheets of recording paper, a controlling section of an image forming apparatus corrects a writing position for a first sheet of recording paper in accordance with an off-center amount detected by a carrying position sensor with respect to the first sheet of recording paper. As for an nth sheet of recording paper, the controlling section corrects the writing position for the nth sheet of recording paper in accordance with an off-center amount ?(n?1) detected by the carrying position sensor with respect to an (n?1)th sheet of recording paper.

Abstract: When an information processing apparatus is present in a communication area of a first communicating unit, the first communicating unit transmits communication setting information and setting information indicating a process on substance information to the information processing apparatus. A second communicating unit establishes a communication with the information processing apparatus based on the communication setting information, and transmits the substance information to the information processing apparatus. A determining unit determines which of a communication by the first communicating unit or a communication by the second communicating unit is possible.

Abstract: There is described an image forming system, which makes it possible to speedily implement the reprinting operation, and to alleviate the burden of the printer controller. The system includes a printer controller to parse a print job described in a Page Description Language so as to generate image data; and an image forming apparatus, configured separately from the printer controller, to implement a printing operation based on the image data. The printer controller applies a first processing to the print job so as to generate multi-value image data and transmits the multi-value image data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus applies a second processing to the multi-value image data, received from the printer controller, so as to generate processed image data, serving as printable image data based on which a reproduced image can be directly printed, and implements the printing operation based on the processed image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for printing material information along with two-dimensional coded images which are obtained by converting minutes data blocks and which are to be added to the material information. Specifically, after the material information is obtained from an information processing apparatus and the minutes data blocks obtained using a web camera are received, a minutes data block is extracted from among the minutes data blocks at a predetermined timing. Then, the extracted minutes data block is converted into two-dimensional coded information. The two-dimensional coded information is printed on a corresponding one of a plurality of pages of the material information.