Abstract: In a conventional system to which a plurality of devices are connected by a serial bus, the throughput of the network decreases due to transfer of a large amount of data. In this invention, a controller connected to the devices via a 1394 serial bus calculates a band width necessary for data transfer in a specific one of the devices, ensures the first channel corresponding to the band width, and transfers data to the specific device using the first channel. This enables preferential data transfer to the specific device to avoid a decrease in throughput.

Abstract: A printer system for modifying the printer's output includes a program for the printer which is not compatible with the printer with a managing program for modifying the program. A substitution table substitutes a portion of the program that is not compatible and, a processor in the printer receives the substitution table and modifies the program. The system uses a method of printing with the non-compatible program by providing a program not compatible with the printer and then creating a character substitution table with characters compatible with the printer. The character substitution table is stored in the printer and the stored characters are adapted to the printer with the non-compatible program.

Abstract: The image data output from an image processing section 32 is corrected by a correcting section 33 and the corrected image data is input to a pulse width modulating section 34.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus and a multifunction-type image forming apparatus, with a minimized thickness in a cabinet height direction and a housing shaped along an upper shape of discharge tray of the image forming apparatus provided thereunder. The optical reading apparatus comprises: platen glass defined with one end and the other end, on an upper surface of which an original document is placed; an optical reading unit that translates between the both ends on a lower surface of the platen glass, for obtaining image data by irradiating an original document surface with light through the platen glass; a control circuit board connected to the optical reading unit, for processing an electric signal; and a housing wherein a side on the side of the other end is thicker than a side on the side of the one end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for color balancing page data, from a variety of input sources having non-consistent device color profiles, among a plurality of individually accessible print engines arranged in a system for color printing multiple copies of multiple page documents. Input page data is converted to a common color space, rasterized and routed to a selected print engine. Page data routed to each marking engine is color balanced to the selected marking engine where at least a portion of the color balancing occurs following the rasterizing of the page data.

Abstract: An open color management system allows any of a plurality of input color devices to share data with any of a plurality of output color devices. The color management system includes a networked connection space for input and output device communication, an input color profile for each input device, an output color profile for each output device, and an open color manager which links a given input device with a selected output device. When linking devices, an input color space dataset having black plus multiple color channels is parsed with the input and output color profiles at a job time to create an output color space dataset having black plus multiple color channels for imaging by the output device without degrading color accuracy while preserving black channel information. A method for open color management and an open color manager for use in an open color management system are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image input apparatus, a method of controlling the information processing apparatus, a method of controlling the image input apparatus, an image input system, and a storage medium storing programs for implementing these methods. According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus executes image processing that can be executed by the image input apparatus, on stored image data from the image input apparatus, based on setting information input according to an operator's instruction. Therefore, a desired input image can be obtained without the need to reenter the image by the image input apparatus, thereby allowing the operator to input images more efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method of brokering a print job between a customer and a plurality of print providers includes defining a network communication link between the customer and a print brokering system controller having a printing capability of each of the print providers registered therewith. The print brokering system controller compares a print request for the print job with the printing capability of each of the print providers and determines which of the print providers have the printing capability to fulfill the print request. As such, the print brokering system controller compiles a list of the print providers which have the printing capability to fulfill the print request.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image exposure apparatus which has a light emitting chip including a plurality of light emitting elements, a base plate for mounting the chip thereon, a lens for imaging light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements on an exposure surface, an electrode disposed in the vicinity of the lens, and an insulative protecting member for protecting the chip, wherein a gap is provided between the electrode and the protecting member.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a buffer memory, a data transmission mechanism, and a connector. Each image forming apparatus includes a controller which includes a program memory for storing a program used by the image forming apparatus. The data transmission mechanism connects the image forming apparatuses to each other so as to allow a data transmission therebetween. The connector connects an external storage to the data transmission mechanism so as to allow a data transmission from the external storage to the buffer memory. The external storage stores data of programs to be respectively used by the image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a depth of field adjustment device and method for an automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder has a guiding groove for placing an object to be scanned. The guiding groove has a scanning window for providing image picking-up for an optical chassis. An adjustable suppressing mechanism located at the guiding groove in corresponding to the scanning window may drive the object to be scanned to pass through an optimal depth of field height of the scanning window. First, at least a part of the pre-scanned object is fed in to be located between the adjustable suppressing mechanism and the scanning window. The depth of field height is then adjusted and changed by the adjustable suppressing mechanism. And, the image of the pre-scanned object is compared with a pre-stored image. After the pre-scanned objected has been judged to be located at the optimal depth of field height, the adjustable suppressing mechanism is fixed and the pre-scanned object is sent out.

Abstract: Upon conversion of density and/or tone of an image, an impression of a specific color in the image is also corrected. Tone conversion is carried out in a CMY color space on image data having been subjected to logarithmic conversion, and density conversion processing is also carried out thereon in density conversion means. The image data are then subjected to inverse logarithmic conversion. In LCH conversion means, the image data are converted into lightness, saturation and hue, and the saturation and/or the hue are corrected by color impression correction means. By converting the data into RGB data by using RGB conversion means, processed image data are obtained.

Abstract: A method for increasing signal to noise ratio is disclosed. The method can automatically detect saturation output voltage of the photosensors via adjusting exposure time or illumination intensity so as to obtain optimum output voltage of the photosensors as well as high signal to noise ratio that can generate high quality images.

Abstract: Upon carrying out printing based on order information, a workload of an operator can be reduced. An order file transferred to a laboratory via a network is input to a printing controller and accepted by an order reception device. The order file is temporarily stored in temporary storage and input to a judgment device. The judgment device judges whether a print is a target of automatic printing or manual printing based on the order information described in the order file F. In the former case, the order information and image data to be printed are input to a printer and printing is a carried out. In the latter case, a confirmation device temporarily stores the order file F. An operator regularly confirms the order file of manual printing target and the content of printing by using the confirmation device, and inputs the image data to be printed and the order file to the printer to carry out printing.

Abstract: A system which enables electronic communication, coordination and dissemination of color-related designs, specifications and products. Color production and maintenance in a simultaneous fashion is provided between a plurality of disparate parties in substantially “real time.” The present integrated color-production is capable of importing electronic output from many diverse instruments, including color production-related hardware and software, and further uses the output to automatically deliver product data to and from a plurality of geographically disbursed parties. The present invention also provides an electronic library comprising colors and textures to be used for accurately matching a color sample and/or specification. The integrated, on-line color-related production system of the present invention enables parties to operate at peak efficiency, producing high sales and customer satisfaction.

Abstract: A method, computing machine and computer readable medium provides a computer user with the ability to route a print job to a service bureau over the Internet. The computer receives a print command input for printing a document. In response to the print command, the document is routed over the Internet to a service bureau for printing. Routing may involve activating a communications browser program in the computer and transmitting the document to a server associated with the service bureau. An Internet print web page including information identifying print job options and a print order form is retrieved from the server and displayed on the computer screen. In response to ther user's selection of a print job option identified on the print job order form, the print job and order form is transmitted to the service bureau.

Abstract: A method for providing a mailing system includes receiving, through a computer system, a mail item from a sender, and printing the mail item in a document including coded data thereon, the coded data including an indication of the identity of the mail item and at least one reference point on the document. The method also includes receiving, in the computer system, indicating data from a sensing device, the indicating data including information regarding the identity of the mail item and at least one action of the sensing device in relation to the document generated by the sensing device using at least some of the coded data; and generating a second mail item using said indicating data from the sensing device. A mailing system includes a computer system having a sender terminal and a receiver terminal and adapted to transmit a mail item from the sender terminal to the receiver terminal.

Abstract: The movement of an image component is determined using the plot information, such as the position, size of the image component, etc., at each time. The complex movement of each image component can be easily generated by providing a plurality of plot information generating units for each image component and combining a plurality of pieces of plot information generated by the plot information generating units when an image is reproduced.

Abstract: When characters are input, the input information is sequentially displayed on a first display, an e-mail address, which is registered in a one-touch key registration area, is retrieved by using the input information, and the retrieved e-mail address is displayed on a second display. Further, when an @ mark is input after a character string input, the information displayed on the second display is switched to a domain name read from the domain name registration area. Thus, the @ mark key, which is always used to input e-mail addresses, is also utilized to switch the display information. Accordingly, the data communication apparatus is capable to prevent the inconvenience of inputting the entire e-mail addresses and to prevent input errors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image scanning apparatus having an illuminating device which irradiates illumination, an imaging element which has a light receiving part for receiving light and for generating signal charges, in which the light is an illumination irradiated from the illuminating device and influenced by the original, and has a transfer part for transferring the signal charges, and a controlling device which indicates timings at a predetermined state used to transfer signal charges generated by the light receiving part of the imaging element. In addition, the present invention provides an image scanning apparatus having an illuminating device, an imaging device which reads out signal charges generated by the light receiving part and outputs the signal charges as image data of the original, and a controlling device that prohibits illumination from irradiating in the illuminating device while image data of the original is output from the imaging device.