Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus that produces data for printing, wherein the data is based on an image in a first region whose size and shape can vary according to an input of variable data and on a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern which is added to the image that includes setting a second region to which a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is provided, wherein the second region is linked to the variance in size or shape of the first region, and producing data for printing based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image in the second region an image in the first region whose size or shape is varied.

Abstract: There is provided a format processing method for overlaying data of a file located on an Internet server onto a predetermined field in a form. In particular, there is provided a form processing method for reading a field data file storing data to be overlaid onto a defined field in a form, and overlaying data of the field data file onto a field in the form, the form processing method including: a determination step of determining, if data of the field data file is description specifying an external file, whether the description of the data is in a URL format (step S301); an overlaying step of downloading the external file in a network server in compliance with Internet protocols (step S305) and overlaying the data of the downloaded external file onto the field in the form if the description is determined to be in a URL format at the determination step (step S301).

Abstract: A page in which field areas are laid out is displayed on the basis of a template. A field area to be adjusted is selected from the field areas in the page. The field area is adjusted on the basis of adjustment operation to the selected field area. Adjustment page information on the page in which the field area has been adjusted is stored in addition to page information on the displayed page.

Abstract: A template to be estimated is selected from a template list containing a plurality of types of templates for which usage conditions for layout control of content data in a page are respectively set. The usage condition of the selected template is estimated. A template used for layout control of the data in the page is decided from the template list on the basis of the estimation result. Layout control of the content data in the page is executed using the template.

Abstract: There is provided a format processing method for overlaying data of a file located on an Internet server onto a predetermined field in a form. In particular, there is provided a form processing method for reading a field data file storing data to be overlaid onto a defined field in a form, and overlaying data of the field data file onto a field in the form, the form processing method including: a determination step of determining, if data of the field data file is description specifying an external file, whether the description of the data is in a URL format (step S301); an overlaying step of downloading the external file in a network server in compliance with Internet protocols (step S305) and overlaying the data of the downloaded external file onto the field in the form if the description is determined to be in a URL format at the determination step (step S301).

Abstract: In a system for transmitting print data from a server apparatus for forming the print data to a client apparatus and performing print based on the print data, it is an object of the invention to improve security of printed matter by inhibiting reprint using the print data stored in the client apparatus and improve operability upon reprinting.

Abstract: A spooling method for sequentially printing a plurality of documents in which a server spools print data supplied from another information processing system on the same network. To realize this method, an output control apparatus for receiving data of a job unit input from a data source and outputting from an output unit data of the job unit in accordance with a predetermined order, includes a setting unit for setting an order of outputting data and a control unit for outputting from the output unit data of the job unit received from the data source, in accordance with the output order set by the setting unit.

Abstract: A spooling method for sequentially printing a plurality of documents in which a server spools print data supplied from another information processing system on the same network. To realize this method, an output control apparatus for receiving data of a job unit input from a data source and outputting from an output unit data of the job unit in accordance with a predetermined order, includes a setting unit for setting an order of outputting data and a control unit for outputting from the output unit data of the job unit received from the data source, in accordance with the output order set by the setting unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information processing apparatus comprising a setting device for setting, for each predetermined unit, attribute information for a character pattern to be printed in overlay with a form pattern, based on externally entered setting instruction information, a discrimination unit for discriminating whether separation information is set for each predetermined unit, separately from the attribute information and a print control unit adapted, when the discrimination unit identifies that the separation information is set, to generate a character pattern for the predetermined unit for which the separation information is set, based on the attribute information, and to cause overlay printing of the character pattern and the form pattern.