Abstract: An overhead image-reading apparatus includes a one-dimensional image sensor having imaging elements arranged in parallel to each other and is configured to change an angle between an optical axis of a light source and a medium to be read during reading of the medium, and the apparatus includes a correcting unit that corrects distortion in a main-scanning direction in read image data of the medium read by the apparatus.

Abstract: A multifunction device includes a memory reading unit for reading file information in a memory, a selecting unit for selecting an executable function based on said file information, a printing unit for printing out on a printing medium information bringing said file information into correspondence with said executable function, a medium scanning unit for scanning the printing medium, a detecting unit for detecting the file information requested for execution and the executable information from among information scanned out with the medium scanning unit, and an executing unit for executing a process corresponding to the executable function to a file corresponding to the file information based on the information detected with the detecting unit.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a case, a reading section, an engaging section, a guide section, a first deformation characteristic section, and a second deformation characteristic section. The case includes a bottom plate. The reading section moves in a sub-scanning direction. The guide section guides movement of the reading section. When the bottom plate is divided into a first region and a second region with the guide section as a boundary, the first deformation characteristic section is arranged in the first region, and has a deformation characteristic such that the first deformation characteristic section deforms with respect to heat in a first direction that is perpendicular to the bottom plate. The second deformation characteristic section is arranged in the second region, and has a deformation characteristic such that the second deformation characteristic section deforms with respect to heat in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A system adjusts at least one operational parameter for at least one electrical energy consuming device. The system monitors electrical energy consumption measurements for operational activity periods, identifies an electrical energy consumption measurement difference between an electrical energy consumption measurement for an operational activity period and an electrical energy consumption measurement for a corresponding operational activity period, and modifies an operational parameter for the electrical energy consuming device in response to the difference being greater than a predetermined threshold. The modified operational parameter is sent to the electrical energy consuming device to enable modified operation of the electrical energy consuming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a reading unit, a controller, and an identifying unit. The image forming unit includes multiple recording elements arrayed in a first predetermined direction and drives the recording elements in accordance with input image information so as to form an image on a recording medium that moves relatively to the recording elements in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The reading unit reads the image formed by the image forming unit and outputs read data. The controller controls the image forming unit so as to form a detection pattern in a detection-pattern region located upstream or downstream, in the second direction, of a region where the image is formed in the recording medium. The identifying unit identifies a target recording element on the basis of read data obtained by reading the detection pattern using the reading unit.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and using a virtual dressing room, by superimposing a non-linearly stretchable object image onto a base image in a display screen of a communication device, the images being planar. The method comprises scanning an encoded indicium associated with the object image, accessing and uploading a URL associated with the object image, the object image including a plurality of object image critical points, accessing the base image at the communication device, the base image including a plurality of base image critical points respectively corresponding to the object image critical points, re-mapping the object image via global transformation of coordinates associated with the object image critical points, such that the re-mapped object image critical points coincide with the respective base image critical points, and superimposing the re-mapped object image onto the base image for display at the display screen.

Abstract: To add an arbitrary recording medium as a recording medium that can be used for calibration to maintain the quality of an image to be formed, an image forming unit forms a pattern image on each of a specific recording medium that can be used for the calibration and the arbitrary recording medium. A creating unit creates second conversion setting information applied to the arbitrary recording medium to convert luminance information into density information, using first luminance information obtained from the pattern image formed on the specific recording medium, second luminance information obtained from the pattern image formed on the arbitrary recording medium, and first conversion setting information applied to the specific recording medium for converting luminance information into density information. A determining unit determines a common image formation condition applied to the specific recording medium and the arbitrary recording medium based on the second conversion setting information.

Abstract: A method and system for delineating document boundaries and identifying document types by analyzing digital images of one or more documents, automatically categorizing one or more pages or subdocuments within the one or more documents and automatically generating delineation identifiers, such as computer-generated images of separation pages inserted between digital images belonging to different categories, a description of the categorization sequence of the digital images, or a computer-generated electronic label affixed or associated with said digital images.

Abstract: An image scanning system comprising an image scanner and a terminal, wherein the image scanner comprises an image storing unit to store the image data; a terminal designation unit to designate the terminal as a transmission target; a terminal storing unit to record correspondence data to associate the image data with the terminal; an information notification unit to transmit a notification of information concerning image data to the designated terminal; a request receiving unit to receive a request for image data; and an image transmission unit to transmit the image data associated with the designated terminal for which the request has been received, and the terminal comprises: an indication unit to make an indication in response to receipt of the notification; and a request transmission unit to transmit the request to the image scanner when a user operation for requesting image data is received.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conversion unit and a setting unit. The conversion unit converts first image information into second image information by using a predetermined color conversion factor group. The setting unit (i) obtains the second image information of a color sample of a plurality of colors converted by the conversion unit from the first image information, the first image information generated by reading the color sample, the color sample used to correct a color level difference according to a light source, (ii) selects a color conversion factor group corresponding to the obtained second image information of the color sample based on the correspondence relationship between a color conversion factor group and a color level of the second image information of the color sample, and (iii) sets the selected color conversion factor group instead of the predetermined color conversion factor group of the conversion unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing using a synchronization signal are provided. Printing processes are performed in the apparatus by determining points in time for performing the printing processes based on a synchronization signal so that it is possible to reduce a waiting time for printing.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires communication setting information for communicating with an image processing apparatus by a second communication unit via a first communication unit. In accordance with the acquired communication setting information, communication by the second communication unit is established to execute, via the second communication unit, an image processing service provided by the image processing apparatus. When establishment of communication is detected, an operation window display request for executing the image processing service is transmitted via the second communication unit. The image processing apparatus receives the operation window display request from the information processing apparatus via the second communication unit. In accordance with the received operation window display request, an operation window for executing the image processing service is displayed.

Abstract: In a prior art, since the wavelengths of R, G, and B LEDs serving as the light sources of a CIS scanner vary, read colors vary between individual scanners. Since the behavior of metamerism also changes due to the same reason, measures against the metamerism are hard to take. To solve this problem, a color patch is irradiated with light from an LED, and its spectral reflectivity is measured using a spectroreflectometer, thereby estimating the emission wavelength of the light source LED. A signal change characteristic representing the relationship to the output signals of three LEDs obtained from the spectral reflectivity of the patch is stored in a memory. In actual image reading, color correction is performed based on the signal change characteristic stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a ground image producing unit which produces a ground image that determines a print position of an information image; a ground image printing unit which prints the ground image produced by the ground image producing unit, with a printing color material which does not have a sensitivity in a reading wavelength of a reading apparatus that reads the information image; and an information image printing unit which prints the information image at a print position that is determined by the ground image printed by the ground image printing unit.

Abstract: After operation histories are appropriately selected and merged, the merged operation history is converted into a job definition file (A) and transmitted to upstream. When resending the job, the designation of the job definition file (A) is added to the original job definition file and transmitted.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes: a reader that reads an image on a document; an image forming unit that forms on a recording medium the image read by the reader; and a detector configured to detect a color image from the image read by the reader and trigger the image forming unit to form a mark for image adjustment before forming the color image on the recording medium if the detector detects the color image.

Abstract: A system for monitoring consumable supply levels in one or more printers includes a printer server for periodically polling the one or more printers for an indication of a supply level of one or more consumables in each printer. The printer server comprises a polling algorithm that dynamically adjusts a polling rate at which the one or more printers are polled. A method of monitoring consumable supply levels in one or more printers includes periodically polling the one or more printers for an indication of a supply level of one or more consumables in each printer; and automatically adjusting a polling rate at which the one or more printers are polled.

Abstract: To provide an image processing device and an image processing method capable of analyzing a code image on a document regardless whether it is a black-and-white document or a color one even when a mode is set in which “scanning is performed in a black-and-white scan mode and black-and-white image information acquired by the scanning is transmitted to a printing device”. Based on an instruction from a controller part, the scanner part acquires black-and-white image data and color image data for the detection of a color code image and transmits them to the controller part. The black-and-white image data is transmitted using bits 7 to 0 of an image data bus and the above-mentioned color image data is transmitted using bits 23 to 16 of the image data bus. The controller part analyzes a code image in the document based on the image data transmitted from the scanner part.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes a print management unit, a storage unit, a print control unit, and a checking unit. The print management unit accepts print instructions for output data items, and generates a first list in which identification information items of print processes based on the print instructions are recorded. The storage unit temporarily stores the output data items related to the accepted print instructions. The print control unit sequentially acquires the output data items from the storage unit, transmits the output data items to an image forming apparatus, and generates a second list in which identification information items of the print processes based on the output data items are recorded. The checking unit checks, as comparison targets, the identification information items recorded in the first list and the identification information items recorded in the second list in order from the tops of the lists.

Abstract: A data transfer apparatus includes a transmitting unit, a transmission controlling unit, and a generating unit. The transmitting unit transmits transmit data over a transmission channel having a plurality of lines, such that the transmit data are assigned to the plurality of lines by information unit of the transmit data, the information unit. The transmission controlling unit appends control data to transfer data to be transferred to a receiving side to compose the transmit data, the control data being for controlling transmission and reception of the transfer data. The generating unit obtains information about the number of the lines. The generating unit determines, based on the number of the lines and the number of information units of the control data, the number of information units of the transfer data that makes the number of information units of the transmit data integral multiple of the number of the lines.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a color image using image carriers for a plurality of colors by electrophotography. The image forming apparatus stores, for each color, information on the shift amount between an ideal scanning line and an actual scanning line in the main scanning direction on the image carrier. For each color, a color misregistration correction amount calculation unit converts a readout address in a bitmap memory (403), based on the stored shift amount information, and reads out image data. A color misregistration correction unit (404) performs tone correction for the readout image data based on the address, outputting image data containing the value of the decimal part. A multi-level error diffusion unit (405) performs quantization by multi-level error diffusion processing for the tone-corrected image data containing the value of the decimal part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit and a restriction unit. The determination unit determines an image forming capability of each of the image forming apparatus and a different image forming apparatus, an image being formed on a printing medium that is transported between the image forming apparatus and the different image forming apparatus. The restriction unit restricts an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus when the determination unit determines that the image forming capability of any one of the image forming apparatus and the different image forming apparatus is to be lower than an image forming capability of the other one of the image forming apparatus and the different image forming apparatus when independently performing an operation to form an image on the printing medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first circuit which creates image data on the basis of print job data, a second circuit which causes a printing unit to print an image on the basis of the image data created by the first circuit and is different from the first circuit, and a storage capable of being accessed by the first circuit and the second circuit, respectively. Additionally, when data is transferred in the first circuit and the second circuit, one circuit writes the data in the storage, and the other circuit reads out the data to transfer the data, thereby executing printing of an image.

Abstract: A copying apparatus with a color copy function includes: a reading unit configured to read images on a document; an input unit configured to input commands from a user; an image forming unit configured to form a mark for image adjustment, perform an image adjustment on the image read by the reading unit based on the formed mark for image adjustment and print the adjusted image; and a judging unit configured to trigger the image forming unit to form the mark for image adjustment if the command for executing color copying is input into the input unit.

Abstract: When the number (M) of passes is smaller than a threshold value, a first processing mode is selected. In the first processing mode, multivalued image data is divided into pieces of multivalued data corresponding to passes and a common multivalued data for a plurality of passes, the pieces of multivalued data are individually binarized to generate pieces of binary data corresponding to the passes, and the common multivalued data is binarized to generate common binary data for these passes. On the other hand, when the number (M) of passes is equal to or larger than the threshold value, a second processing mode is selected. In the second processing mode, multivalued image data is binarized and the binary data is divided into pieces of binary data corresponding to passes with a mask.

Abstract: A mechanism for scanning and capturing digital images using document layer detection. Upon detecting a document placed on a scanning surface of a scanning device, the illustrative embodiments identify one or more layers within the document. The illustrative embodiments then scan the one or more layers within the document on a layer by layer basis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing device comprising: a storage part to store a target value set for each tone value in a plurality of colors; a measurement value information obtaining part to obtain measurement value information, the measurement value information comprising a measurement value of a density at each of a plurality of measurement positions in a main and a sub-scanning directions; a correction target value calculation part to correct the target value based on color mixture proportion information where a proportion of the colors is set, and to calculate a correction target value; a correction value calculation part to calculate a correction value of the density at each measurement position, which is calculated based on the correction target value and the measurement value information; and a correction part to correct a density value of each pixel in image data, based on the correction value.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus is provided with a preview image generating portion for generating a preview image of image data to be output in the unit of an output job, and an image display portion such as a touch panel for displaying the generated preview image. The image display portion displays a generation stop key for stopping generation of the preview image during the generation of the preview image so as to be selectable by a user, and displays a different screen in accordance with a generation state of the preview image when the generation stop key is selected by a user operation.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes: plural drawing processing units capable of drawing processing on print information having plural print basic colors; an analysis unit that analyzes information contents of the print information; and a selection unit that selects whether the drawing processing on the print information is performed by the drawing processing units in parallel by a predetermined unit of information amount or in parallel by each of the plural print basic colors, based on a result of analysis by the analysis unit.

Abstract: A scanner unit of a multifunction printer (MFP) increases the speed of the movement of the scanner head, lowers the scanning resolution and uses only a single scanning channel during the scanning of a blank area, and decreases the speed of the movement of the scanner head, increases the scanning resolution and uses the three scanning channels of RGB during the scanning of a graphic area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a reading mechanism having an original placement portion on which an original document is placed for reading an image; a recording mechanism having a medium supply tray on which a recording medium is set, the recording mechanism being disposed in such a manner that a longitudinal direction of the medium supply tray is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the original placement portion; an angular casing that houses the reading mechanism and the recording mechanism while stacking the reading mechanism and the recording mechanism vertically; and a cartridge holder that houses an ink cartridge and is disposed in a space located at a corner position of the casing below the reading mechanism and surrounded by a circumferential wall of the casing and a side wall of the medium supply tray.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image sensor, specifically a full spectrum recognition image sensor capable of reading and recognition image information for all of ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light, which comprises a sensor substrate, photosensitive parts set on the sensor substrate and arranged in a straight line, a lens set on an upper portion of the sensor substrate, a light source set beside the lens, and a framework capable of accommodating said sensor substrate, said lens and said light source.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms a color image using a transparent toner and color toners based on received printing information includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a transparency attribute is set for an object included in the printing information, and a generation unit configured to generate a transparent object using the transparent toner on the object when the determination unit determines that the transparency attribute is set for the object.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus stores pixel data of an input image in a storage apparatus after performing resolution conversion encoding, and performs a pixel interpolation process after reading out the pixel data stored in the storage apparatus and performing resolution conversion decoding. The image processing apparatus determines, when resolution conversion encoding the pixel data of the input image, whether a resolution of the pixel data will decrease due to the pixel interpolation process, based on attribute information indicating an attribute of the pixel data, and performs processing to decrease the resolution of the pixel data in the resolution conversion encoding, if it is determined that the resolution will decrease.

Abstract: A device includes: a receiver receiving a displacement of an image formation target area in a sub-scanning direction from a reference position on a continuous form with side portions having holes and with a page boundary per a length; a calculator calculating marker lengths of markers marking upper and lower ends of a page of the continuous form based on the displacement, a shortest distance to the holes from the page boundary, and a reference length for when the displacement is not specified for the markers; another calculator calculating start positions of the markers based on the displacement, the distance, the reference length, and a length of the target area in the sub-scanning direction; and a controller performing, with respect to an apparatus, control of the image formation of the markers in the side portions from the start positions over the marker lengths.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device that reduces power consumption by setting the color image recording units to low power consumption mode during monochrome image recording, and a power consumption control method in an image forming device. Furthermore, this image forming device has a monochrome image recording unit and color image recording units, and is an image forming device capable of setting the monochrome image recording unit and color image recording units to low power consumption mode, and has a switching unit for switching between monochrome image recording and color image recording, and a control unit that sets the color image recording units to low power consumption mode during monochrome image recording and continues to set the color image recording units to low power consumption mode while this monochrome image recording continues.

Abstract: In a preflight process for digital print systems, color data from print data are analyzed and the results presented in a report. The color data are individually altered in regard to not only a color profile, in which they are encoded, but also in regard to their color values, using a graphic user interface. Results of the alterations are displayed using corresponding screened document pages.

Abstract: A pixel interpolating device includes a cycle calculation unit and an interpolating unit. The cycle calculation unit calculates a cycle in change of pixel values of pixels in a document image obtained by reading a document by first and second photoelectric conversion element arrays each having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. The interpolating unit extracts from the pixels such pixels that an interval between each pixel and an interpolated pixel corresponding to a position between the first and second photoelectric conversion element arrays corresponds to the cycle calculated by the cycle calculation unit. The interpolating unit interpolates a pixel value of the interpolated pixel based on pixel values of the extracted pixels.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises: an image reading unit that includes a platen glass and a color contact image sensor configured by a line image sensor for reading red, a line image sensor for reading green, and a line image sensor for reading blue, the line image sensors being disposed in a sub-scanning direction of an original; and an automatic original feeder. In the image reading apparatus, the line image sensor for reading red and the line image sensor for reading green are disposed so that a line gap therebetween is two lines, and in a monochrome mode in which a color original is read and output as a monochrome image, the color original is read using the line image sensor for reading red and the line image sensor for reading green.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color conversion method, the method including the steps of (a) converting a color using an approximation technique, and (b) correcting an error of the color using a preset error correction table containing information regarding a difference between a color channel based on an original conversion formula and a color channel based on the approximation technique.

Abstract: A pressing plate is used for an overhead scanner. The overhead scanner includes an imaging unit that images a medium to be read that is placed on a placement surface located under the imaging unit in the vertical direction and a light source that irradiates the medium to be read with light. The pressing plate includes a pressing plate main body for pressing the medium to be read from an upper side in the vertical direction and a plurality of anti-glare units arranged inside the pressing plate main body. The pressing plate main body is light transmissive. The anti-glare units block light reflected toward a side opposite to an incident light side from the light source, with respect to a vertical axis, among light reflected from the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a classifying unit which classifies constituent elements constituting print data into a single or a plurality of areas based on a plurality of types of the constituent elements; a color conversion processing unit which performs, with respect to each of the constituent elements classified by the classifying unit, a color conversion coping with each type the constituent elements; and an image forming unit which composes the constituent elements subjected to the color conversion by the color conversion processing unit and forms an image based on the print data composed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (50) at least includes a paper output tray (80), an actuator (16) and a photo sensor (15). The actuator (16) is supported in such a manner as to be swingable above a paper loading surface of the paper output tray (80). The actuator (16) includes a fullness detection section (164) and a rear edge curling detection section (162). The fullness detection section (164) is disposed at a tip portion of the actuator (16), being configured so as to contact the uppermost paper on the paper output tray (80). The rear edge curling detection section (162) is formed so as to extend from the fullness detection section (164) toward a direction that gets further away from the paper loading surface of the paper output tray (80) toward a direction generally parallel to the paper loading surface of the paper output tray (80) and opposite to a paper conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet-fed scanner includes a housing, a scan assembly carrier, a scan assembly and a bent linking member. The scan assembly carrier is movably disposed in the housing. The scan assembly mounted in the scan assembly carrier scans a side of an original sheet in a main scan direction. The bent linking member disposed between the housing and the scan assembly carrier includes a first section and a second section. The first section extends transversally in relation to the main scan direction and interconnecting two opposed ends of the scan assembly carrier. The second section, connected with the first section, forms an angle with the first section. As one of two opposed ends of the scan assembly carrier is pushed towards the housing in a direction, the bent linking member urges the other end to move in the same direction.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method to control an imaging device. A first collection of a plurality of two-dimensional image points in a first vector space for a source image and a second collection of a plurality of two-dimensional image points in a second vector space for a target image are received. The first collection of two-dimensional image points and the second collection of two-dimensional image points are converted into a homogenous form to apply affine matrix transformations. A matrix transformation is solved to map the first collection of the plurality of two-dimensional image points to the second collection of the plurality of two-dimensional image points. The matrix transformation is used to adjust distortion of the target image in an imaging device.

Abstract: An image scanning system comprising an image scanner and a terminal, wherein the image scanner comprises an image storing unit to store the image data; a terminal designation unit to designate the terminal as a transmission target; a terminal storing unit to record correspondence data to associate the image data with the terminal; an information notification unit to transmit a notification of information concerning image data to the designated terminal; a request receiving unit to receive a request for image data; and an image transmission unit to transmit the image data associated with the designated terminal for which the request has been received, and the terminal comprises: an indication unit to make an indication in response to receipt of the notification; and a request transmission unit to transmit the request to the image scanner when a user operation for requesting image data is received.

Abstract: A print control apparatus included an accepting unit, a generating unit, a transmission unit, a display, a determination unit, and a display controller. The accepting unit accepts a print request. The generating unit generates, on the basis of the print request, print data for outputting an image onto printing paper. The transmission unit transmits the print data to a printing apparatus. The display displays a list of print requests accepted by the accepting unit, together with process states of the print requests. The determination unit determines whether a progress speed with which processes based on the print requests are to be completed is not lower than a value. In a case where an operation instruction unit is displayed on the display, when it is determined that the progress speed is not lower than the value, the display controller performs control of disabling the operation instruction unit.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a print driver to recognize a paper size that is not supported by the print driver. A printing device informs the print driver (executing on a client device) that an input tray of the printing device supports a particular paper size. Alternatively, the printing device informs the print driver that a feature and/or option supported by the printing device has changed. The print driver requests the new paper size (or the set of features and options) from the printing device. The print driver receives the new paper size data from the printing device and updates its user interface to allow a user to select the new paper size as a supportable option.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store shared printer drivers classified into a plurality of product categories each including one or more printing apparatuses, and correspondence information between the shared printer drivers and the printing apparatuses, an acquisition unit configured to acquire product specifying information for specifying a printing apparatus from among the printing apparatuses, a determination unit configured to determine a shared printer driver corresponding to a product category corresponding to the product specifying information acquired by the acquisition unit based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit, even if the shared printer driver is not included in the correspondence information, a setup unit configured to perform setup using the shared printer driver determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: An image editing apparatus edits on an image editing screen a printing image to be printed on a printing medium. The printing image is arranged by a plurality of translated terms of at least one term represented by a plurality of languages. The apparatus stores therein plural sets of the plurality of translated terms, selects one set of the translated terms out of the plural sets of the translated terms, displays on the image editing screen the selected one set of the translated terms as a printing block, where addition and deletion of a letter are prohibited, on a translated term-by-translated term basis, and designates an editing input position of the printing block on the image editing screen.