Abstract: A system and method provide a la carte reproduction services wherein a printing system is capable of performing multiple operational printing modes, but is configured, in a normal operational printing state, to perform a subset of the multiple operational printing modes. The printing system includes a user interface to enable a user to select an operational printing mode. The printing system, in response to a user selecting an operational printing mode not included in subset of the multiple operational printing modes, communicates with a printer service provider server to request authorization to perform the user selected operational printing mode. The printer service provider server requests predetermined information from the printing system, and, upon processing and verification of information received from the printing system, configures the printing system to perform the selected operational printing mode.

Abstract: A system and method provide a la carte reproduction services wherein a printing system is capable of performing multiple operational printing modes, but is configured, in a normal operational printing state, to perform a subset of the multiple operational printing modes. The printing system includes a user interface to enable a user to select an operational printing mode. The printing system, in response to a user selecting an operational printing mode not included in subset of the multiple operational printing modes, communicates with a printer service provider server to request authorization to perform the user selected operational printing mode. The printer service provider server requests predetermined information from the printing system, and, upon processing and verification of information received from the printing system, configures the printing system to perform the selected operational printing mode.

Abstract: A dot judgment circuit judges whether there exists color information in dot-pattern-developed image data of pixels around a black pixel under attention. When not finding the existence of color information, the dot judgment circuit selects a head driver for driving a recording head for jetting a slow drying black pixel. When finding the existence of color information, the dot judgment circuit selects a head driver for a recording head for jetting a quick drying black ink or head drivers for recording heads for jetting quick drying Y, M and C inks.

Abstract: A movement distance monitoring pulse counter counts drive pulses being applied to a carriage-moving pulse motor, and produces a count value M. An optical sensor attached to a head carriage detects slits of a slit encoder passed by the head carriage. A slit counter counts output pulses of the optical sensor, and produces a reset signal every time the count reaches a preset number of output pulses corresponding to a monitoring carriage movement distance. The count value M is reset in response to the reset signal. When the count value M exceeds a preset number of drive pulses corresponding to the monitoring carriage movement distance, an abnormality detection signal is produced.