Abstract: The invention describes a method for preventing the loss of portions of a copied image when output media having edge disturbances, or virtual edge disturbances, are used. Such media can include hole-punched paper, transparencies with non-imaging stripes, or paper that will be hole punched at a later time. Image loss may be minimized or prevented by reducing or offsetting the image. When output media with an edge disturbance is detected, an image forming apparatus can adjust the images to compensate for the disturbances.

Abstract: An automatic photograph producer and an operating method of the producer. The automatic photograph producer is incorporated into a four-in-one multi-function machine that includes a printer, a scanner, a photocopier and a facsimile. The automatic photograph producer comprises a platform, a top panel, a penetrating light source and a printer. The platform is a place for holding transparencies. One end of the top panel couples with one end of the platform. The penetrating light source is above the top panel for sending light to the transparency on the platform during scanning. The printer prints out an image of the scanned transparency onto a photographic paper.

Abstract: In case of reading an original of plural pages and collectively transmitting the successive short length pages as one page, the number of transmitted pages recorded on a transmission record list becomes different from the number of read pages, so that it is difficult for a user to judge, from such list, whether all the pages have been transmitted. In case the number of actually transmitted pages is different from the number of read or received pages stored in the second RAM, the user can select in advance, by a key depression on a keyboard, whether to record both the number of actually transmitted pages and the number of read or received pages stored in the second RAM or to record either one of the numbers, as the number of pages to be recorded on the transmission result list.

Abstract: A method for automatically cropping, rotating, and scaling a scanned image to ensure that a printed copy of the scanned image is the same size as the original, when possible. The method attempts to honor the default or operator designated orientation of the printed image, but will automatically rotate the image if that will eliminate unnecessary image reduction. Optimal orientation and scaling factors are automatically determined based on the target page size and the size and shape of the information of interest in the original image (not the boundaries of the original document). The operator selects a desired printed orientation (or accepts a default orientation) and selects a desired printed paper size (or accepts a default printed paper size). If an image will fit within the printable margins without rotation or cropping, the image is simply printed without modification. If the image will fit without rotation by cropping white space, then white space is cropped.

Abstract: There are provided a card printing method and a card printing apparatus which are capable of preventing or minimizing the possibility of adhesion of ink to end faces of a card. The card printing apparatus prints on a card having a predetermined thickness by an ink jet printing method. A card feed mechanism feeds the card C. A print head carries out printing on the card being advanced, while performing reciprocating motions. A controller controls the card feed mechanism and the print head. The controller causes the print head to carry out beyond-edge printing in which ink droplets are ejected beyond opposite edges of the card, immediately before termination of ejection of the droplets when the print head is moved in one direction, and immediately before termination of ejection of the droplets when the print head is moved in another direction opposite to the one direction, if the beyond-edge printing is required.

Abstract: An image merging and displaying apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display. A document editing device edits document image by generating document image data. A document data obtaining device obtains the document image data from the document editing device. A sheet image data generating device generates sheet image data that constitutes a sheet image having a size in accordance with the document image. An image data merging/reducing device first merges the document image data with the sheet image data, and second reduces an image constituted by the thus merged image data to form an image to be displayed on the display.

Abstract: A recording apparatus that compares the size of detected input data with a plurality of sizes of recording sheets set by a setting unit. The size of a recording sheet on which the input data is to be recorded is selected from the set plurality of sizes and the input data is recorded on the selected recording sheet. When no recording sheet of a size equal to or greater than the size of the input data is set, the size of the input data is compared with the sizes M times (M: an integer) as much as the plurality of sizes of recording sheets, respectively, and (1) if any of the M times sizes is equal to or greater than the size of the input data, it is selected as the size of recording sheet on which the input data is to be recorded.

Abstract: A digital copier or multifunction peripheral (MFP) can perform special document construction functions including “auto-sizing,” scaling a copy to fit a selected size of copy medium, and “auto-cloning” printing a plurality of copies of a single original on a copy medium. The size of the original image is determined from the results of a full resolution scan of the original.

Abstract: A document scanning system includes a preview sensor that is dedicated to document previewing and distinct from any other sensor that is involved in the document scanning process. The preview sensor is preferably a two-dimensional sensor array that captures the outline of an entire document in parallel. The captured document outline is previewed on a display device relative to an actual image area that is defined by the scanning system. In an enhanced embodiment of the scanning system, the preview sensor captures an image that is printed on the document in addition to the outline of the document, so that the image of the document is also previewed relative to the image area. Providing a dedicated preview sensor that captures document position and image data in parallel enables real-time display of a document relative to the image area.

Abstract: The invention provides a facsimile apparatus capable of smooth transmission without trouble in a receiving unit, even in case of two-side reading of a long original. According to the invention, in case the reading of two-side original is selected, the sub scanning length of the original is detected an the transmission control is modified according to the sub scanning length. In case the sub scanning length of the original exceeds a predetermined length, the user is caused to select either to (1) transmit such original as a one-sided original to the receiving unit with informing the receiving unit of that, or (2) to transmit the original information corresponding to a predetermined length on the front side of the original as the front side information and transmit the remaining original information on the front side as the backside.

Abstract: A method for automatically cropping, rotating, and scaling a scanned image to ensure that a printed copy of the scanned image is the same size as the original, when possible. The method attempts to honor the default or operator designated orientation of the printed image, but will automatically rotate the image if that will eliminate unnecessary image reduction. Optimal orientation and scaling factors are automatically determined based on the target page size and the size and shape of the information of interest in the original image (not the boundaries of the original document). The operator selects a desired printed orientation (or accepts a default orientation) and selects a desired printed paper size (or accepts a default printed paper size). If an image will fit within the printable margins without rotation or cropping, the image is simply printed without modification. If the image will fit without rotation by cropping white space, then white space is cropped.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus such as a facsimile is constructed by a communication unit to transmit and receive data, an output unit such as a printer to output the data received by the communication unit, and a connection unit such as an LAN to connect one or more external apparatuses. Data of an output-capable ability of the output unit and data of an output-capable ability of the external apparatus connected through the connection unit are notified to a communication apparatus on the partner side by the communication unit. The ability data indicates an image size and a resolution of image data that can be outputted by the output unit and/or the external apparatus. The data communication apparatus also has a transfer unit to transfer the data received by the communication unit to the external apparatus connected to the LAN. When the image size and resolution of the received image data exceed the output-capable ability of the output unit, the transfer unit transfers the received data.

Abstract: The invention provides a communication apparatus capable of minimizing the division and one side recording of the two-side long original, thereby generating the received recording easy for observation by the receiving user. In case the dual side recording is designated from the transmitting station or at the receiving station, even if the received information is judged not as the fixed size, the dual side recording is executed by reducing such received information to the fixed size. Also the maximum reduction ratio for reducing the size of the received information of a long-sized original for output in the recording sheet of a fixed size is selected differently in case the one side recording is designated and in case the dual side recording is designated, and is selected larger in case of designation of the dual side recording than in case of designation of the one side recording.

Abstract: A structure and method for improved detection of the edges of a document in a scanner provides for positioning a width detection backer so that it is simultaneously in the field of view of the optical element of the scanner and out of the focal plane of the optical element. A portion of a document is positioned in the optical path between the optical element and the width detection backer and scanned with the optical element. Information from the scanning step is analyzed to identify data indicative of an edge of the document. The out of focus width detection backer, which remains stationary while scanning the document portion presents very little variation in intensity and other data, heightening the contrast between the document and the width detection backer, and reducing the likelihood of erroneously identifying elements of the width detection backer as document edge features.

Abstract: A paper size recognizing device includes paper-aligning guides linear-reciprocally mounted to closely align the paper loaded in the cassette in one direction, a signal-generating unit interlocked with the paper-aligning guides, for generating plural signal codes selectively combined in predetermined patterns, switching unit mounted in the main body to be selectively operated in response to the signal codes generated by the signal-generated unit upon loading the cassette; and controller for outputting as an electrical signal paper size information on the paper loaded in a cassette through signal information inputted by operations of the switching unit, whereby the paper size information on the paper held in the container can be automatically recognized and provided in real-time upon loading the paper cassette.

Abstract: A printer having a stapling function is controlled. If the size of a sheet of paper to be printed on is set when the user designates a stapling position, positions at which stapling is possible are decided in dependence upon the set paper size and these positions are displayed as candidates for selection. The user selects a desired position from among the candidates. The selected position is displayed together with an image of the paper shape indicating the page layout of the paper, the orientation of print data and stapling orientation. Lastly, the candidates for selection are displayed on the image. The stapling position thus set is sent to the printer when printing is performed.

Abstract: A method for performing accurate and reliable page size selection in a PostScript™ device. A PolicyReport procedure is downloaded into the device to perform the following steps. If the device is using a non-standard PaperSize Policy, then the procedure uses the PageSize SetPageDevice call; otherwise, the procedure loops through the PageSizes for each media source stored in the InputAttributes dictionary to find the nearest PageSize entry favoring non-rotated over rotated for identical match sizes. The loop is terminated when an exact match is found with no rotation or when all available paper sizes have been exhausted. The loop is optimized not to look for closest matches once it has found a perfect size match and to terminate when it has found a perfect non-rotated match.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that coordinates the printing of a page of photos that match the layout of a pre-existing matte. The matte layout can be created from a physical matte. When creating an electronic layout or template from a physical matte, a digital image of the matte and a reference target is created. The template can then be created by using the relationship in the digital image between the image of the reference target and the image of the physical matte.

Abstract: In an image communication apparatus capable of communicating color information, a receiver notifies a transmitter of information indicating that full-color data is receivable or unreceivable, information indicating that JPEG data is receivable or unreceivable, and information indicating that color data of a specific size is receivable or unreceivable. When the size of a document to be transmitted by the transmitter is B4 size or A3 size, and if the receiver has the capability to receive color information of B4 or A3 size, the transmitter transmits the document information in a color mode with the same magnification. If the receiver does not have the capability to receive color information of B4 or A3 size but has the capability to receive color information of A4 size, the transmitter transmits the image to be transmitted with the size reduced to A4 size.

Abstract: When transmission of an image is performed by a double-side image transmitting function, and a cover sheet inserting function is used to automatically insert a cover sheet, a CPU transmits a blank sheet image as the image formed on the reverse side of the cover sheet.

Abstract: The present application relates to document boundary determination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photographic capturing device for the capturing of photographic image information from photographic media with a light source, with a stage for the photographic medium to preset a reference position for the projection of the photographic medium by way of a projection optics onto a detection element which detects the light originating from the light source and modulated by the photographic medium according to the image information, whereby a sample carrier with a sample is provided for the control of the focus of the projected image, and a positioning mechanism which removably places the sample carrier a the reference position for projecting the sample onto the detection element by way of the projection optics.

Abstract: A document reading device includes a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a document size detector for detecting a size of the document, and a controller for controlling the reading unit to read the image of the document in a read size corresponding to the document size confirmed from a detection result of the document size detector. Particularly, the controller includes an operation panel for inputting and outputting various information, and a CPU for requesting designation of a document size via the operation panel when the document size is not confirmable from a detection result of the document size detector and specifying the read size corresponding to the document size which is designated via the operation panel according to the request.

Abstract: The present invention enables to ensure printing the entire desired image. An image data interpreter 21 interprets the header portion of data transmitted by a digital camera to detect the number of dots indicative of height and width of an image to be printed. A printer analyzer 22 detects the size of a print paper actually set in a printer. To perform printing in a print condition set by an output setting unit 23, image data size is adjusted based on the detected image data size and print paper size as well as the set print condition, and the adjusted image data is outputted to a printer engine.

Abstract: A communication apparatus capable of transmitting image data in a form capable of reducing a running cost is provided. When a plurality of pages of image data to be transmitted can be recorded on one record sheet at a receiving station, a plurality of pages of image data are combined into one page of image data for transmission within a range in which the image data are recorded on one sheet at the receiving station and in such a manner that the plurality of pages of image data are recorded on the record sheet in vertically evenly divided areas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for detecting the scanning range when applying the assistant frames in the flatbed scanners. Fixed marks allocated at the front side of the assistant frames are used to determine the sizes of the assistant frames. The required scanning ranges are thus determined according to the recognized assistant frames obtained from pre-scan. Only the front sides but whole of the assistant frames need to be pre-scanned, and thus to reduce the scanning time interval.

Abstract: A system and method electronically determines an edge of a copy substrate to be printed on. A copy substrate is inserted between a linear light source array and a linear sensor array and a light segment of the linear light source array is illuminated. An edge location of a shadow created by the copy substrate intersecting a light path between the illuminated light segment and the linear sensor array is measured, and a location of the edge of the copy substrate is calculated based on the measured shadow location. A second light segment of the linear light source on an opposite side of an expected copy substrate edge position of the light segment can also be illuminated, and a second edge location of a shadow created by the copy substrate intersecting a light path between the illuminated second light segment and the linear sensor array can be measured wherein this second measurement can be used with the first to calculate a location of the edge of the copy substrate.

Abstract: In the case where since there is no recording paper in an upper stage cassette in which recording papers of an optimum size (for example, A4 size) should be enclosed, a lower stage cassette in which recording papers of another size are enclosed is used as a temporary paper feeding unit and a paper feed is performed, whether there is a status change such as supply of recording papers, removal of output papers from a paper ejecting unit, or the like or not is discriminated on the basis of a status change signal, whether the recording papers of the A4 size have been supplied to the upper stage cassette or not is discriminated, and whether an automatic paper feeding mode has been set or not is discriminated. Thus, when the recording papers of the A4 size are supplied to the upper stage cassette and the automatic paper feeding mode has been set, the paper feeding unit is switched from the lower stage cassette to the upper stage cassette.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a document size when the width of a document to be scanned is smaller than an effective scan width of a scanner module. One block of a document support plate is scanned before a document to be scanned is fed and a data value of the scanned block is stored as a reference color data value. After pre-scanning a first block of the document, dividing the document block, widthwise, into a predetermined number of slice, determining whether the reference color data value and a color data value of an Nth slice of the document block are equal, where N is initially set to one, increasing N by one, when it is determined that the reference color data value and the color data value of the Nth slice of the document block are not equal and repeating the determining step, setting a value of the document size to be equal to N−1, when it is determined that the reference color data value and the color data value of the Nth slice of the document block are equal.

Abstract: An automatic manuscript document conveying apparatus which can freely set printing of a mark on a document, e.g. indicating completion of a reading or transmitting operation of the document, such that the mark is printed on the document based on a distance from a reading position in a first mode, and such that the mark is printed on the document based on a distance from a rear end of the document in a second mode. As a result, the apparatus can surely print the character on the document even in case that the document is short and the first mode is set, and even in a case that double or plural documents are conveyed and the second mode is set. When the second mode is set for the printing position, in a case that the read document is not shorter than the reading area, the mode is automatically changed over to the first mode. On the other hand, when the first mode is set, in a case that the read document is not longer than the reading area, the mode is automatically changed over to the second mode.

Abstract: A blank space is provided at an appropriate position on a recording paper as determined by either input image data to be recorded, or the size of the recording paper.

Abstract: A document copy system includes a preview sensor that is dedicated to document previewing and distinct from any other sensor that is involved in the document copying process. The preview sensor is preferably a two-dimensional sensor array that captures the outline of an entire document in parallel. The captured document outline is previewed on a display device relative to an actual print area that is defined by the copy system. In an enhanced embodiment of the copy system, the preview sensor captures an image that is printed on the document in addition to the outline of the document, so that the image of the document is also previewed relative to the print area. Providing a dedicated preview sensor that captures document position and image data in parallel enables real-time display of a document relative to the print area.

Abstract: An index imaging system includes: a scanner for scanning a plurality of photographic images to produce a corresponding plurality of digital images; a computer connected to the scanner for receiving the digital images and generating a corresponding plurality of thumbnail digital images and containing index imaging software for writing an application program for manipulating the digital images; a printer connected to the computer for receiving the thumbnail digital images and producing an index print; and a floppy disc writer connected to the computer for recording the thumbnail digital images and the application program on a floppy disc. Computer program products carrying thumbnail digital images and optionally particular application programs, are also provided.

Abstract: A scanning area detection method applies to a shuttle scanner having a position sensor mounted with respect to a paper guide of the shuttle scanner, with the position sensor outputting an electrical signal indicative of the position of the paper guide. The method includes the steps of: adjusting the position of the paper guide according to the width of a document to be scanned; determining a width value of the document to be scanned according to the electrical signal output of the position sensor and storing the detected width value in a memory; and scanning a block by slices while incrementing a slice coefficient, at least until the slice coefficient of the last scanned slice of the block reaches the stored width value. The shuttle scanner processes block slices corresponding to a physical scanning limit of the shuttle scanner minus the determined width value, as extra-document data.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining a scanning dimension of a scanned body. The device includes a light source, a detecting unit, and a signal processing unit. The method includes steps of (a) providing an initial optical signal, (b) receiving the initial optical signal and generating an initial detecting signal in response to the initial optical signal, (c) receiving the initial optical signal and generating a complex detecting signal according to the scanning dimension of the scanned body, and (d) determining the scanning dimension of the scanned body by calculating the initial detecting signal and the complex detecting signal.

Abstract: A recording head is provided with a plurality of recording elements. In the recording head, the number of record data can be counted accurately, following high-speed recording operation by counting only the number of drive data input via one signal line by means of a counter, from drive data input to two shift registers via signal lines according to a clock signal.

Abstract: A communication apparatus can transmit image data stored in a memory in a manner capable of reducing the running cost. The number of input lines for each page is recognized for image data of a plurality of pages input and stored in the memory. When transmitting the stored image data of the plurality of pages, the number of recordable lines per page of a recording sheet used in a communication partner's terminal is recognized, and image data for one page obtained by combining image data of a plurality of consecutive pages is transmitted. The reception side combines a maximum number of image data for a plurality of pages recordable on a single recording sheet, and transmits the obtained image data as image data for one page. Image data of different files for the same communication partner are also combined in the above-described manner.

Abstract: A document paper size detection method and apparatus, in a facsimile device, having a plurality of sensor cells forming a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor module which is repositioned according to a determination by a CPU as to whether the facsimile is to be operated in a book scanning mode or a sheet feeding mode. In the book scanning mode the CCD sensor module is move to a scan starting position and the scanning operation is performed. In the sheet feeding mode the CCD sensor module is moved to a location for detecting an optical sensor reflecting unit, and based upon an optical alignment of one of the plurality of sensor cells with the optical sensor reflecting unit, a size of the sheet of paper to be scanned in the sheet feeding mode is calculated. The CCD sensor module is then moved to a scanning location for scanning the sheet of paper and the sheet of paper is automatically fed past this scanning location.

Abstract: A method and system automatically determines the width (i.e., left and right edges) of a document when it is loaded for scanning or copying. When a document is staged, the scanner collects a predetermined number scanlines of the leadedge of the document. Both first order and second order statistics of the scanner and document are then calculated based on the scanned data. The auto-width detection process is adaptive to CCD sensor output variation, document variation, and scanner variation, thus making it robust against dust in the sensor path and random fluctuations of the scanner.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting an image signal representing an original image, a processing unit for performing image processing of the image signal input from the input unit, and a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium on the basis of the image signal subjected to the image processing by the processing unit. The processing unit performs rotation processing of the image signal in accordance with the shapes of the original image and the recording medium.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a rolled paper, and for cutting the rolled paper on which the image has been recorded to a standard size. The image recording apparatus includes a detection device for detecting a length of an image to be recorded on the rolled paper; a storage device for storing a plurality of predetermined lengths corresponding to a plurality of standard sizes; a selection device for selecting a selected length from the plurality of predetermined lengths, the selected length (i) being longer than the detected image length, and (ii) being nearest to the detected image length from among the plurality of predetermined lengths; and a cutting device for cutting the rolled paper, on which the image has been recorded, to the length selected by the selection device.

Abstract: A document size detection device for a facsimile device that improves the accurately of original document width detection. This reduces the errors generated by using an excessive amount of reduction on received facsimile images. The device uses a rotary document width sensor to increase the degree of accuracy with which the width of a document can be sensed. This also reduces the magnitude of excessive reduction that occurs when a document is improperly loaded and causes a width to be detected that is slightly larger than the actual width.

Abstract: According to a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus accepts image information, detects a predetermined amount of the input length of the input image information, sets the reduction ratio of the input image information on the basis of the detected input length and a predetermined fixed length, and outputs image information input in an output length on the basis of the set reduction ratio.

Abstract: A technique for document edge detection in an optical scanning system. The document is placed against an over-sized neutral background. A linear optical sensor array is used to provide successive lines of pixel data representing the luminance of detected pixel areas. Commencing from one end of the line of pixel data, for successive current pixels being tested, a group of n adjacent pixel values is correlated with a successive group of n adjacent pixel values to provide a correlation value for the current pixel. One of the groups is assumed to contain only background pixels, and their luminance is approximated to be equal to the average luminance over the entire background. If the correlation value exceeds a threshold constant, the current pixel is chosen to be an edge in this line of pixels. Data from several lines is processed to find corresponding edges for each line, and the line edges are subjected to a least squares fit to calculate the location of the document edge.

Abstract: An image data transmission apparatus reads image data from a document placed on a document tray via a line sensor or the like, and transmits the obtained image data to a receiving apparatus either after rotation of the image data or without rotation of the image data wherein whether rotation is performed or not is determined in accordance with the receiving capability of the receiving apparatus and also on the document setting position. If the rotation is required, the reading operation is performed in such a manner that the line density in the secondary scanning direction in the reading operation will become the line density in the principal direction after the rotation so that no degradation in the resolution and processing efficiency occurs.

Abstract: An image reader to detect a width size and a length size of a manuscript without moving an optical image read device. A front end detector inputs binary coded data of a shading line of a front end of the manuscript, counts a number of black pixels in a lengthways direction of the shading line, calculates a width size of the front end of the manuscript from a counted value, and outputs a front end detection signal for representing that the front end of the manuscript passes through an image read line.

Abstract: A method for printing in a frugal way to save ordinary print paper from unnecessary loss in a facsimile machine specifies the effective print length for a sheet of the print paper, which includes the steps of: receiving one sheet data, determining whether the amount of the received one sheet data exceeds the effective print length, determining whether the effective print length is greater than the sum of a predetermined length of the TTI region and the length of the substantial content of the received one sheet data if the amount of the received one sheet data exceeds the effective print length, and printing the received one sheet data with the TTI overlapping the upper margin of the effective print length if the effective print length is greater than or equal to the sum of the predetermined length of the TTI region and the length of the substantial content of the received one sheet data.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, two document reading sections, a document conveying unit and a fixing unit are efficiently laid out so as to occupy a minimum of space available in the apparatus. Also, the document reading device is capable of reading even a relatively thick or a relatively long document conveyed by a turn-over type sheet-through document conveying device and not feasible for a turn-over path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus in which a structure is simple and in which the size of a document can be detected in a short time, wherein the levels of signals, which are outputted from photoelectric elements within a plurality of sensing regions on a light-receiving portion of a line sensor correspond to a pair of nearby regions (#1 and #2, #3 and #4, #5 and #6, and #7 and #8) which hold each edge (e.g., edges 64A, 64B, 64C in FIG. 5) of the plurality of documents of different sizes disposed on a platen glass, are compared to a threshold value, or alternatively, the change in the levels of signals which are outputted from the photoelectric elements within a plurality of sensing regions (e.g., #1, #2 and #3 in FIG. 11) continuously cross each edge of the plurality documents of different sizes is obtained in order to determine the size of the document.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a function for rotating image data stored in a memory by 90° while preventing deterioration of image quality. Upon image reading, if the line density in a subscanning direction is lower than the pixel density in a main-scanning direction, the line density is raised close to the pixel density. The reading control is performed in accordance with the possibility of 90° rotation of image in a destination apparatus or a specific size of an original image. This attains efficient use of image memory.