Abstract: A printing system that comprises a host computer 50 and a printer 10 in combination. As the printer 10, is used one that can process a first class print request including a control program and print data and a second class print request including only print data, and, when an ID output request is received, sends a control program ID as identification information of a control program stored inside the printer 10 at that point of time. Printer control software 20a is installed on the host computer 50 to put the computer 50 in a state that, when a print request is to be outputted to the printer 10, the computer 50 verifies whether a required control program is stored within the printer 10, and the computer 50 sends a second class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is verified, and sends a first class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is not verified.

Abstract: A host sends each page of image data to a page printer in band units and the page printer writes the received each band data into a reception buffer in DRAM by DMA and transfers the band data from the reception buffer to an image formation section made up of members. The host gets an available buffer capacity from the printer just before transmitting each band data, and transmits the band data only when the printer can receive the band data. In the printer, a CPU permits transfer DMA to be started after reception data as much as the data amount calculated based on the data reception speed and the transfer rate is stored in the buffer to prevent an underrun error from occurring. If an underrun error occurs, the CPU sets an error flag, and sends the error flag to the host just before the host starts transmitting each band data. When receiving the error flag, the host drops image resolution and resends the page data with the resolution dropped.

Abstract: A printing system that comprises a host computer 50 and a printer 10 in combination. As the printer 10, is used one that can process a first class print request including a control program and print data and a second class print request including only print data, and, when an ID output request is received, sends a control program ID as identification information of a control program stored inside the printer 10 at that point of time. Printer control software 20a is installed on the host computer 50 to put the computer 50 in a state that, when a print request is to be outputted to the printer 10, the computer 50 verifies whether a required control program is stored within the printer 10, and the computer 50 sends a second class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is verified, and sends a first class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is not verified.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of saving developing agents such as toner and ink by reducing the number of dots in an image while ensuring that the characters and figures in the image are nonetheless represented distinctly. Bit map data is read out from buffer 23 and a set of three-pixel bits are held in both a vertical and a horizontal direction, with the pixel of interest being located in the center. On the basis of this set of bits, upper/lower edge detector circuit 59 and right/left edge detector circuit 61 determine whether the pixel of interest is positioned in any one of the edges of the pattern in the image to be printed. Additionally, dot-saved pattern generator circuit 67 performs dot reduction on the bit for the pixel of interest. The edge detection signals from the edge detector circuits 59 and 61 are supplied to OR gate 65, where they are ORed with the bit for the pixel of interest that is supplied from the dot-saved pattern generator circuit 67 after dot reduction.

Abstract: A thermal transfer type printer having an ink sheet rejuvenation system and method for rejuvenation of an ink sheet used in the printer wherein the printer has a transport path for transporting the ink sheet past an ink deposition station for selective transfer of powder ink from a powder ink supply to an ink sheet surface when a bias is applied at the station; ink fixing station having fixing applicator for selective engagement with the ink sheet surface for fixing the powder ink to the ink sheet; and a printing station having a thermal print head for engagement of the print head with the ink sheet onto a surface of an output medium for forming images on the output medium by selective thermal transfer of ink to the output medium surface in imagewise formation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reclaiming an inked sheet which includes a conductive ink layer formed on an insulating supporter, and in which the ink layer has transferred parts and untransferred parts remaining without being transferred; comprising the fact that an electrode (10 FIG. 1) is brought into contact with the insulating supporter (2), that conductive ink (7) to be introduced into the transferred parts (4) is conveyed to a position which confronts the electrode (10) with the inked sheet (1) intervening therebetween and which does not contact with the inked sheet (1), that a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrode (10) and the conductive ink (7), thereby to fly and supply the conductive ink (7) into each transferred part (4), and that the supplied conductive ink (7) in each transferred part (4) is fixed (14).