Abstract: Printing processing is performed on a sheet having a characteristic value within a range of a characteristic value of a sheet which is defined usable in the printing processing in accordance with a specific print job. Specifically, in a case where a test page print job is input, a CPU selects a sheet feeding tray on which sheets having a characteristic value within a range of a characteristic value represented by characteristic value range information. The CPU performs a control operation so that a sheet is fed from the selected sheet feeding tray to a printer unit and the printer unit executes the test page print job.

Abstract: A CPU of an image forming apparatus, such as a color electrophotographic copying apparatus, reads print step information from a memory, such as a USB memory, that stores print image data and print step information relating to a plurality of print steps for producing a print of the print image data and a progress state of the print steps. The CPU updates the progress state of the print steps stored in the memory subsequent to the print step being performed by a printer in the image forming apparatus, displays a next print step to perform based on the read print step information, and controls the printer. The image forming apparatus thus avoids leaks of the print data, and prevents useless printing and erratic job processing. Thus, even an inexperienced operator can provide sophisticated high quality print service using the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In a reforming method for a high temperature type fuel cell in which dimethyl ether is used as fuel gas, and a gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced by reacting dimethyl ether with carbon dioxide is fed into the anode, the carbon deposition at the time of reforming is prevented. The feeding amounts of dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide from a pipe h1 into the reforming reactor are regulated in such a way that the relation between temperature inside the reforming reactor and the molar ratio of carbon dioxide to dimethyl ether in the reforming reactor falls within the region C.

Abstract: A user can easily tell whether image position adjustment is being appropriately performed for accommodating units in which printing media is accommodated. A printing method for controlling a printing apparatus so as to cause a printing unit to print on a sheet fed from a sheet accommodation unit, includes: accepting input of an adjustment value for image adjustment for a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit; causing the printing unit to print an image adjusted according to the accepted adjustment value; and in a case where adjustment is necessary for a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit, prompting input of the adjustment value.

Abstract: A layout apparatus lays out a document by referencing personal information registered on a per user basis. Even if no particular print setting is input for a print job by a user, excellent prints customized for each user are thus provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing system configured to output printing media having undergone print processing by a print apparatus to a plurality of destinations including a specific destination which has a structure allowing an operator to take out the printing media. In the system, output of printing media to the specific destination is restricted while the operator takes out the printing medium outputted to the specific destination, and in case that the number of printing media necessary for a job processed by the print apparatus is smaller than a predetermined number, the system is controlled not to output to the specific destination a printed material formed from printing media smaller in number than the predetermined number. This invention can achieve efficient printing by controlling not to stop the print operation of the system as much as possible.

Abstract: Following executing print processing according to a first print job, in the event of executing printing processing according to a second print job which has different sheet attributes from the first print job, a printing apparatus according to the present invention, which subjects sheets having various types of sheet attribute to printing processing, outputs a change instruction for changing the sheets loaded in a predetermined paper feed tray in response to completion of the printing processing according to the first print job.

Abstract: In a network connecting a plurality of devices, the image processing function of each device, information for specifying each device, and the like are collected and controlled, and functions realizable by combining two or more devices are determined. Profiles indicating respective combinations are transferred to each device. Each device which has received the profiles displays executable functions based on the profiles, and performs control, such as the operation of the device, transfer of data, and the like, in order to realize a function selected from among the displayed functions.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to, in an image processing apparatus executing load distribution processing over a network, perform appropriate processing in accordance with an instruction from a user at power shutdown. There is provided an image processing apparatus which is connected to a network and performs processing requested by another apparatus over the network, including a notifying unit which, if the apparatus is instructed to shut down power during execution of the requested processing, provides notification to a user that the requested processing is being performed, an input unit for a user to input an instruction in response to the notification, and a termination processing unit which shuts down power after performing processing corresponding to the instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The image forming apparatus has a keyed sheet storage unit that has a key status of locked and unlocked states. The image forming apparatus can switch operational sequences of the keyed sheet storage unit in response to the key status of the keyed sheet storage unit to achieve ease of use and the enhancement of security level.

Abstract: An optical information recording method and a device which can record information with a laser light irradiating direction kept constant even if an information recording surface of an optical information recording medium is inclined and, a recording medium having a program therefor recorded thereon are provided. When performing OPC, a relational expression between a recording power and asymmetry (a standard expression), a relational expression between a differential light intensity value and a recording power (a first detection expression), a relational expression between a recording power and a difference between a differential light intensity value and a reflected light amount ratio (a second detection expression), a relational expression between a reflected light amount ratio and a recording power (a third detection expression), a differential light intensity value with which optimum asymmetry can be obtained, a recording power, a reflected light amount ratio and the like are determined and stored.

Abstract: When data of a print job are stored on another device or a file server, data transfer is required to obtain image data, and the start of a print process and a preview process take time compared to a print job whose data is stored in a local storage device. Hence, a print job is started, and it is checked if data for all pages of the print job are locally held. If data for all pages of the print job are locally held, a print process is continued; otherwise, data for remaining pages are obtained and undergo the print process parallel to the print process for a first part.

Abstract: A print job often includes secret information, and information may suffer sniffing from devices that execute distributed processing of jobs, or on the network. Therefore, executing the distributed processing of a print job including secret information reduces the robustness in terms of security protection. Hence, upon reception of a job, a task manager (TM) issues, to a dynamic job scheduler (DJS), a request of target devices of distributed processing according to a security level indicating the importance level of data included in that job. The DJS notifies the TM of the target devices, and the TM transmits divided jobs to the target devices.

Abstract: In a reforming method for a high temperature type fuel cell in which dimethyl ether is used as fuel gas, and a gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced by reacting dimethyl ether with carbon dioxide is fed into the anode, the carbon deposition at the time of reforming is prevented. The feeding amounts of dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide from a pipe h1 into the reforming reactor are regulated in such a way that the relation between temperature inside the reforming reactor and the molar ratio of carbon dioxide to dimethyl ether in the reforming reactor falls within the region C.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The image forming apparatus has a keyed sheet storage unit that has a key status of locked and unlocked states. The image forming apparatus can switch operational sequences of the keyed sheet storage unit in response to the key status of the keyed sheet storage unit to achieve ease of use and the enhancement of security level.

Abstract: A CPU of an image forming apparatus, such as a color electrophotographic copying apparatus, reads print step information from a memory, such as a USB memory, that stores print image data and print step information relating to a plurality of print steps for producing a print of the print image data and a progress state of the print steps. The CPU updates the progress state of the print steps stored in the memory subsequent to the print step being performed by a printer in the image forming apparatus, displays a next print step to perform based on the read print step information, and controls the printer. The image forming apparatus thus avoids leaks of the print data, and prevents useless printing and erratic job processing. Thus, even an inexperienced operator can provide sophisticated high quality print service using the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A layout apparatus lays out a document by referencing personal information registered on a per user basis. Even if no particular print setting is input for a print job by a user, excellent prints customized for each user are thus provided.

Abstract: In a network connecting a plurality of devices, the image processing function of each device, information for specifying each device, and the like are collected and controlled, and functions realizable by combining two or more devices are determined. Profiles indicating respective combinations are transferred to each device. Each device which has received the profiles displays executable functions based on the profiles, and performs control, such as the operation of the device, transfer of data, and the like, in order to realize a function selected from among the displayed functions.

Abstract: In a network connecting a plurality of devices, the image processing function of each device, information for specifying each device, and the like are collected and controlled, and functions realizable by combining two or more devices are determined. Profiles indicating respective combinations are transferred to each device. Each device which has received the profiles displays executable functions based on the profiles, and performs control, such as the operation of the device, transfer of data, and the like, in order to realize a function selected from among the displayed functions.

Abstract: Each of input and output devices previously forms device profile, and a host computer acquires virtual input/output device information including a pair of ideal input and output devices on the basis of the device profiles of these devices. If the virtual input/output device information is acquired, the input device demands to acquire a transfer path profile included in the virtual input/output device information, and then demands if the transfer path profile is acquired the output device registered in the acquired transfer path profile to connect a line. If the line connection is established, the input device performs data inputting such that the acquired transfer path profile is reflected in the device setting, and then it transfers the input data to the desired output device.