Abstract: A system and method for routing and delivering pre-fetched assets/media, such as a digital image, is provided. The present invention is directed to a system that allows for two digital images to be pre-fetched or otherwise transferred concurrently from two separate source devices to virtually expand the bandwidth and increase the efficiency of the transfer. The system also allows image enhancements to be made in a distributed manner either by a source or destination device, or by both. The invention further provides a method of efficiently delivering multiple versions of a single image to a destination device. An asset ranking system is also provided that takes into consideration the frequency at which the digital image is accessed and the number of source devices that that the digital image is stored within.

Abstract: A system and method for routing and delivering pre-fetched assets/media, such as a digital image, is provided. The present invention is directed to a system that allows for two digital images to be pre-fetched or otherwise transferred concurrently from two separate source devices to virtually expand the bandwidth and increase the efficiency of the transfer. The system also allows image enhancements to be made in a distributed manner either by a source or destination device, or by both. The invention further provides a method of efficiently delivering multiple versions of a single image to a destination device. An asset ranking system is also provided that takes into consideration the frequency at which the digital image is accessed and the number of source devices that that the digital image is stored within.

Abstract: This invention provides a flexible method capable of appropriately determining whether 2-path printing can proceed especially to second-path processing, in order to apply a conventional upper limit management mechanism to a 2-path printing system. According to this invention, when executing 2-path printing, the printing system performs upper limit management based on the sheet count of use for a user. When executing second-path print processing, even if the count of sheets used by the user in first-path print processing has reached an upper limit value, print processing is permitted in second-path print processing.

Abstract: In a method and a device for the detection, at the correct time, of pressure marks situated at regular intervals on a print web, use is made of cameras, with a processing unit which is assigned to the camera. The activation of the camera is no longer triggered externally in order to detect the pressure marks. Instead, the drive control system, which actuates a movement of the print web, is connected to a bus to which the cameras and therefore the processing units are also connected. It is thereby possible for the drive control system to provide the processing units with process data which the processing units can use to calculate detection times. The activation of the camera takes place, on the basis of the calculation, automatically by means of the cameras with the processing unit itself.

Abstract: An image registration server stores encryption keys of respective ones of a plurality of client terminals. Image data is encrypted by the image registration server using the encryption key corresponding to the client terminal to which the image data is applied. The encrypted image data is applied to the client terminal via a server. The client terminal has a decryption key stored within so that only a client terminal that is duly authorized can decrypt encrypted image data. Other client terminals that are not duly authorized cannot decode the image data. This makes it possible to prevent unlawful use of image data even if the image data has been intercepted.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, a printing system, and a prediction method of the usage of a printing agent can be configured to predict, prior to a processing for developing a printing image, the usage of a printing agent required for the printing. In order to do so, layout information is firstly analyzed prior to a processing for developing a printing image, thereby calculating an area in which object information arranged based on the layout information is printed. Then, based on the calculated printing area, the usage of the printing agent required for printing the object information is predicted.

Abstract: A replaceable component is installable in and removable from a printing device and contains one or more supplies used in printing by the printing device. A memory and a port are in the replaceable component. Data that characterizes usage of the one or more supplies in printing by the printing device is stored in the memory. The data can be transferred through a cable from the port to a host computer using a data transfer protocol of the port.

Abstract: A method for a finishing module coordinator controller used in a finishing system comprised of finishing devices controlled separately from production equipment. The method comprises receiving finishing job description information, including identification of job segments of the job; and using such information for programming at least one finishing device. The method further comprises tracking performance of the job and adjusting the job model and device performance in response to conditions during performance of the finishing job.

Abstract: An image output control apparatus, an image output control method for such an image output control apparatus, and a storage medium, in which, the total number of output copies when image data input by an image input device is output by plural image output devices is set, and the total number of output copies is distributed to the respective image output devices outputting the image data on the basis of distribution priority order previously stored in a memory and for distributing the total number of output copies to the plural image output devices. Thus, even after the plural image output devices for performing the image output are specified, distribution control based on the distribution priority order for the plural image output devices is enabled.

Abstract: A method of making more visible some characteristic to be included in a hard copy of a recorded image includes reading a variable visible characteristic within a predefined area of the recorded image to determine the visible composition of the variable characteristic. At least one stored variation of the variable characteristic is selected, based on the visible composition of the read variable characteristic, from a plurality of stored variations of the variable characteristic. The selected stored variation of the variable characteristic will have greater visibility within a predefined area of the hard copy, which corresponds to the predefined area of the recorded image, than the variable characteristic within the predefined area of the recorded image. The selected one or more characteristics are included in the predefined area of the hard copy.

Abstract: A system for generating from unimaged plates a plurality of exposed lithographic plates to be provided to a press for use in printing. The system is for use with a film exposer for exposing a negative which includes an identifying code identifying the negative. An exposing station has a first reader for reading the identifying code and has an exposer for exposing a number of unimaged plates to generate an image thereon from the exposed negative. The number of exposed plates corresponds to the identifying code read by the reader. A bending station has a second reader for reading the identifying code on the exposed plates and has an optical punch bender for bending the exposed plates in accordance with information corresponding to the identifying code.

Abstract: A photographic processing method for developing a film having been photographed, printing the developed film on a photographic paper and developing the photographic paper, the film being accommodated in a cartridge and set in a predetermined position of a photographic processing apparatus. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing the film or the cartridge with an ID number for identifying the film; (b) making an index print in which respective images of a plurality of frames of the film are arranged in numeral order of the film; and (c) providing the index print with the ID number read from the film or the cartridge. With this method, one is able to find out in which film and in which frame of the film an image desired to be copy-printed is present.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus (e.g., copying apparatus) equipped with a counter for counting the number of specific cycles. Allowance or prevention of an operation cycle is controlled in accordance with voltage changes at a predetermined position of the controlling circuitry supplying a driving voltage to the counter. A specific operation of the electrical apparatus is enabled by connection of counter.

Abstract: A microfilm camera comprises a camera head and a document support. The camera head includes a film transport mechanism for intermittently feeding a strip of microfilm past an exposure station at which an aperture plate is disposed. The aperture in the aperture plate is adjustable in one of at least two different sizes by means of a masking flap supported for movement between a first size position, in which a portion of the aperture is shielded, and a second size position in which the masking flap is clear from the aperture. When a document of a relatively small size is placed on the document support, the masking flap is in the first size position, but when a document of a relatively large size is placed on the document support, the masking flap is in the second size position.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a device for forming a latent image on a negative film according to data stored on a base medium; a first pair of transport rollers for pinching and carrying simultaneously the negative film and a receiving strip into a superimposition zone, the exposed film being developed into a treatment bath along said superimposition zone and a positive image being transferred by diffusion onto the receiving strip from the negative film; a second pair of transport rollers placed at the outlet of the superimposition zone, for pinching and carrying the receiving strip only; and registering means for sensing the advancing movement of the receiving strip and for controlling intermittently, at time intervals determined by the detection of guidemarks formed on the receiving strip, the production on the negative film of an image comprising a set of data stored discontinuously on the base medium.

Abstract: An Edge Printing Device is utilized adjacent to the exposure station of a document reproducing apparatus having an auxiliary document handling apparatus mounted over the exposure station. The documents, moving over the exposure station drive a friction roller which in turn rotates an indicia roller so that supplemental information thereon is copied simultaneously with the image on the moving document. The supplemental information is produced on an edge portion of the copy sheet, in an area beyond the lateral dimensions on the copy sheet.

Abstract: Serially reproduced copies from a copy machine are edge printed with successive raster lines, preferably with alpha-numeric data to form a visible title. The title information is first loaded in a memory, preferably of the alpha-numeric digital variety. The title information is then sequentially scanned synchronously as each page of the collated copy is conventionally reproduced in a copier. As the copier reproduces copy, raster lines are serially imprinted at pixel locations on each edge of the pages being reproduced, each raster line being preferably and serially imprinted in groups of three pages. Serial scanning is preferably shown by a variable light sourch such as a liquid crystal or light emitting diode located at the page edge; alternately an optical scan for such serial scanning is shown. When sufficient copy has been run and collated, the collated paper when registered at the edges of each page displays printed information in the manner of title label found on the bindings of books.

Abstract: A photographic reprint system includes a preparation station at which film segments or strips are attached to an elongated paper tab. Holes are punched in the tab to indicate the location of each film frame to be printed. Information relating to the printing of each film frame, including the desired print quantity, is stored sequentially in a storage medium, such as a floppy disk. In addition, the desired print quantity is printed in human readable form on the tab. After the tab with attached film segments has been prepared, it is taken to a photographic printer, where the tab with the attached film segments is advanced sequentially and the negatives are printed. Prior to the printing of each film frame, the desired print quantity which was stored in the storage means is retrieved and displayed. If the desired print quantity exceeds a predetermined number of prints, the printer waits for verification from the operator before printing.

Abstract: A photographic reprint system includes a preparation station at which film segments or strips are attached to an elongated tab. Indicia (typically in the form of holes) are formed in the tab to indicate the location of each film frame, to signify the end of the film segment, the end of a customer order, and the end of a reel. Information relating to the printing of each film frame, including the number of holes in the tab adjacent that frame, is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. At a photographic printer, the tab and attached film segments are advanced sequentially to a print gate, where printing occurs based upon the data which is sequentially retrieved from the storage medium. A first hole sensor located upstream of the print gate counts the number of holes in the tab as each frame is advanced to the print gate, and this number is compared with the stored number which has been retrieved from the storage medium.

Abstract: A method and device for recording data related to usage of a copier machine, or the like, is provided. The device includes means for producing data related to the apparatus usage and means for presenting an image of the data to the exposure plane of the apparatus whereby operation of the machine produces a record of the data on copy material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a paper strip wherein the paper strip is composed of a series of closely spaced photographic prints and wherein the paper strip has been marked with various indicia indicating the location of the prints and whether the prints are satisfactory. The apparatus includes means for advancing the strip along a path of travel, means for printing a customer identification number on each of the prints, means responsive to the indicia for cutting the strip between adjacent prints, and means responsive to the indicia for sorting the unsatisfactory prints into a separate receptacle.