Abstract: In a printing apparatus including a reception buffer which stores setting data and printing data of printing element arrays transmitted from a connected host device, and a printing buffer which stores the printing data of the printing element arrays in association with printing positions in a scanning direction, the printing data are controlled to be stored in the printing buffer by adjusting the storage positions of the printing data of the printing element arrays on the basis of registration information which is contained in the setting data and corresponds to the relative distance between the printing element arrays in the scanning direction. Read address information for reading out the printing data stored in the printing buffer is controlled for each printing element array. Printing is performed by driving each printing element array in accordance with the printing data read out on the basis of the read address information.

Abstract: A printer includes an identification unit that calculates the amount of power that will be consumed by each of a plurality of printers on a network. The printer stores power consumption calculating data for each of the printers on the network, and will identify the printer on the network having the lowest power consumption for a particular print job. The printer also includes a unit that will transfer the received print data to the printer identified by the identification unit, if the identified printer is one other than the printer that originally received the print data. This unit will also instruct the client personal computer that transmitted the print data to display a message indicating that the print data has been transferred to another printer, as well as data about the printer to which the print data has been transferred.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus is provided which can produce an appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image by adding a monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern even if monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which a color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set. When the monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which the color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern color is output with its color unchanged, the color is not converted into 100% black. Considering this, when a forced monochrome mode is selected, even if the user's setting for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is color, the color is changed to monochrome (black) before output.

Abstract: A print controlling method in a print controlling apparatus for controlling printing processing by using printing limitation information indicating printing limitation, including an obtaining step of obtaining printing limitation information; an identifying step of identifying printing setting set to the printing data; a deciding step of deciding the printing setting by which the printing setting is within the printing authority information by using the printing setting identified at the identifying step and the printing authority information; a determining step of determining whether the printing setting decided by the deciding unit is inconsistent with the other setting set to the printing data; and an executing unit for allowing the printing setting for the printing data outside the range of the printing authority information if it is determined as inconsistent at the determining step, is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium is provided to have a print control program embedded thereon. The program is executable by a print control apparatus that includes an information memory that memorizes an outer diameter for each of a plural different cylindrical members. The program, when being executed by the print control apparatus and when an outer diameter is selected from a plurality of outer diameters of cylindrical members by a user and a cylindrical member associated with the user-selected outer diameter corresponds to one of the plural cylindrical members memorized in the information memory, causes the print control apparatus to determine at least part of a label configuration based on the dimension of the selected cylindrical member and arrange a print image within at least one of a range corresponding to the at least part of the determined label configuration and a second range adjacent to the first range.

Abstract: A system for dispensing, reading and verifying RFID tags. The system includes a label dispenser that dispenses labels that contain RFID tags from a bulk label storage device, an RFID Reader/Writer device that is operatively connected to the label dispenser. The RFID Reader/Writer device reads and codes tags which are embedded within these labels. The RFID Reader/Writer is configured to function in close range and thus provide adequate fidelity of coding and transfer of individual program tags. The invention also includes an RFID reader/writer that is powered by its communications means.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for extending printing device availability detect a level of printing consumable, compare the detected level of printing consumable to a threshold level, provide a selection of printing modes if the detected level of printing consumable is less than the threshold level, and control the printing device to print in the selected printing mode. Printing device availability-extending modes include printing in a lower resolution, simulating black with a composite of colors, and/or printing in a substitute color when the level of one or more colors is low. The methods disclosed are applicable to a variety of printing devices including laser printers, ink-jet printers, LED printers, plotters, facsimile machines, digital copiers and multi-function printing devices.

Abstract: A handheld, hand-propelled mobile printer is disclosed for use in printing a scrapbook item on a scrapbook sheet. The printed item may be any graphic, image, drawing, illustration, text, embellishment, or other scrapbook item. The printer receives or generates image data of the item and a user moves the printer on a scrapbook sheet for printing the item. A position module provides absolute position data so that the item is accurately printed. Use of the handheld, hand-propelled printer allows a user to add items to a scrapbook at many locations and without the need for a desktop or other stationary printer.

Abstract: A printer head including a printer head chip to detecting an error, capable of detecting an operation error in the printer head chip while printing is performed during a redundancy period, and a method of controlling the same. The printer head chip includes an input unit to sequentially receive printed data, a counting unit to count discharged data using the printed data and to store the number of discharged data, a generator unit to sum the stored number of discharged data during a redundancy period and to generate resultant information using the summed number of discharged data, and a transmitting unit to transmit the resultant information to a printer head controller.

Abstract: A tape printer for printing a tape stored in a detachable tape cassette includes a detection device that detects a type of a loaded tape cassette, a receiving device that receives data from an external device, a permission determination device that determines whether or not the type of the cassette detected by the detection device is the one permitting a predetermined action except ordinary printing instructed in data received by the receiving device, and an operation control device that enables the predetermined action if it is determined to be permitted by the permission determination device.

Abstract: A method of printing an image comprises sending a data stream representing the image to a printer driver, generating a stream of print instructions at the printer driver, forwarding the stream of print instructions to a printer, and printing the image in accordance with the print instructions. The data stream or stream of print instructions is intercepted and processed so that the printer uses less ink to print the image than it would if the processing was not performed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus provided with: a display section to display a screen for setting print condition; and a display control section which controls to display in such a way that a plurality of print condition items are displayed in a first display area on the screen, and in a case where a user has selected a plurality of items out of the items displayed in the first display area, setting condition contents related to the selected items are laid out in a second display area different from the first display area, wherein the display control section determines whether each of the print condition items having been selected can coexist with an other print condition item different from the each of the items, and if not, controls the other item not to be selectable from the first display area.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided comprising printhead modules, physically and logically distinct control modules, and logically distinct memory modules. Each printhead module prints a different section of a printing zone. Each control module controls at least one associated printhead module. Each memory module stores print data for at least one associated printhead module. The control modules read print data from an associated memory module and control an associated printhead module to print information derived from the read print data.

Abstract: A printing system is provided suitable for reducing a printing time. A client apparatus acquires document data being edited during an editing operation by an application, creates print data for evaluation based on the acquired document data, selects a compression algorithm suitable for the created print data for evaluation from a compression algorithm registration database, compresses print data in accordance with the selected compression algorithm, and sends the compressed print data to a printer along with a print request. The creation of print data for evaluation and the selection of a compression algorithm start during an editing operation by the application. When the printer receives compressed print data along with a print request, the printer decompresses the received compressed print data and prints based on the decompressed print data.

Abstract: To flexibly control a communication status between devices, in accordance with an error type generated in a data process device such as a printing device. Also, to improve a communication efficiency or attain a low power consumption. A type of an error generated in the data process device, such as the printing device, is discriminated by the data process unit such as the printing device or an imaging device. In accordance with the discriminated error type, the communication with a partner device is transited to the low power consumption mode, or the communication with the partner device is disconnected.

Abstract: A printer includes an identification unit that calculates the amount of power that will be consumed by each of a plurality of printers on a network. The printer stores power consumption calculating data for each of the printers on the network, and will identify the printer on the network having the lowest power consumption for a particular print job. The printer also includes a unit that will transfer the received print data to the printer identified by the identification unit, if the identified printer is one other than the printer that originally received the print data. This unit will also instruct the client personal computer that transmitted the print data to display a message indicating that the print data has been transferred to another printer, as well as data about the printer to which the print data has been transferred.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first designation portion which designates a directory from plural directories stored in a storage medium; a first printing portion which index prints images on a first print medium based on files stored in the directory designated by the first designation portion, the files including at least one of an image data file and a sub-directory; a display portion; a first display control portion which controls the display portion to display information for designating the files after the images are index-printed by the first printing portion; a second designation portion which designates one of the files based on the information displayed on the display portion; and a second printing portion which prints an image on a second print medium based on the designated one of the files.

Abstract: There is provided a printing system including a reading unit that reads paper identification information of a paper sheet, a first controller that implements control for, when instructed to print document data, causing the reading unit to read the paper identification information of the paper sheet used for printing and transmitting a request for a document containing the read paper identification information, and a second controller that implements control for, when printing document data containing the paper identification information received in response to the request for the document on the paper sheet, causing the reading unit to read the paper identification information of the paper sheet used for printing and, if the read paper identification information and the received paper identification information contained in the document data do not match, inhibiting printing of the document data.

Abstract: In case where any one of longitudinal direction printing in which an arranging direction of character strings coincides with a longitudinal direction of a tape, and width direction printing in which the arranging direction coincides with a width direction, is selected and a print image having the character strings arranged therein is printed on the tape to produce a label, a size in the longitudinal direction of the tape which is made into a label is set as a label width in the width direction printing. Character strings for the width direction printing are inputted and arrangement widths of respective lines of the character strings are set. A print image is created and printed according to the arrangement widths and the tape is cut in accordance with the set label width, whereby a label is produced.

Abstract: A method of configuring a printing system includes providing a document key having an initial image and providing a printing system that includes a memory storing a first system setting. The method also includes scanning the document key and validating the initial image. The method can optionally include marking a first overlay image over at least a portion of the initial image, scanning the document key, and verifying the marking of the first overlay image thereon. The method also includes configuring or permitting the configuration of the printing system after the initial image has been validated or the marking of the first overlay, image on the initial image has been verified. A printing system that is capable of being configured using the document key is also included.

Abstract: A cable label having a desired configuration is provided without forcing a user to do any troublesome work. A character string to be printed on a cable label is memorized in a character string memory section. A print image generating section generates a character string memorized in the character string memory section. A designation and its outside diameter value, for example, of each of plural cables are memorized in a cable information memory section. A label length determining section determines the length of a cable label based on the outside diameter value of a selected cable. A print image arranging section arranges a print image generated by the print image generating section within a length determined by a label length determining section.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A full-size scrapbook page is scanned by n image scanner. A computer device receives an image of the scanned full-size scrapbook page. The full-size scanned scrapbook page is displayed on a display screen coupled to the display device. The full-size scanned scrapbook page is accepted to create an accepted scrapbook page. The accepted scrapbook page image is transferred to an image printer and is printed on the image printer. The results is a high-quality color copy or reproduction of the original scrapbook page.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus of the present invention includes a monitor that displays predetermined time segments in a list, a microcomputer that classifies image data recorded in a memory for each of the predetermined time segments, and an operating portion that receives a predetermined operation and transmits a content of the received operation to the microcomputer, wherein when the operating portion receives a predetermined operation for printing including an operation for specifying one or a plurality of time segments among the predetermined time segments displayed in a list, the microcomputer gives a printing instruction with respect to a whole or a part of the image data classified in a time segment specified by the predetermined operation, or can perform setting with respect to the printing. According to this configuration, the operability can be enhanced in a calendar display and printing instruction/setting.

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels includes: a read-only memory in which are stored a plurality of label data entries, the label data entries having been preset according to an intended use and are unalterable by a user; a user input having character selection keys and a plurality of direct access keys for selectively accessing respective label data entries, wherein direct access can mean a single access key activation; a writable memory for holding information selected by a user at the user input means including any label data entry accessed by one of the direct access keys; and a controller for accessing one of said label data entries responsive to selection of one of said direct access keys by a user and arranged to cause printing of a label using said label data entry.

Abstract: A continuous sheet-printing device including: an input buffer for printing data; a generation section that generates image data from the printing data that is supplied from the input buffer; an output buffer for the generated image data; a printing section that implements printing on continuous sheet in accordance with image data supplied from the output buffer; a determination section that determines, on the basis of a buffering state of the output buffer, whether or not generation of image data by the generation section will be timely for a print timing of that image data at the printing section; and a controller that, when the determination section determines that generation of image data by the generation section will not be timely, controls the printing section such that a predetermined page count of skip page(s) is inserted between printed pages according to the generated image data, is provided.

Abstract: A printing method is provided for printing on a medium with a color material by a printer including a cartridge accommodating section that removably accommodates a cartridge to which an advance payment information storage section for storing therein advance payment information is attached and which contains the color material.

Abstract: A printer having a first printing mode in which information is printed in a normal image on a general printing tape and a second printing mode in which information is printed in a mirror image on a transfer tape. When the printer prints a two-dimensional code symbol image 40b in the second printing mode on the transfer tape 31b, the printer also prints a two-dimensional code symbol image 40a in the normal image in an area of the transfer tape next to its area in which the symbol image is printed in the mirror image. At this time, an additional confirmative indication 42 is printed close to the symbol image 40a printed in the normal image to indicate that this symbol image should be used only for confirming the content of the symbol image printed in the mirror image.

Abstract: When a printing device inputs image data from a memory card, the printing device prints an order sheet whereon are arranged a chart of the image data and setting entry fields for filling in a variety of settings for generating a movie based on these image data. The user uses various marking fields provided on the order sheet to specify the display times for the various image data and the effects to be performed on the various image data. When the printing device uses a scanner to read in the filled-out order sheet, movie data is generated based on the content that is set using this order sheet. The user is able to generate movies easily using this type of printing device.

Abstract: An improved sheet printer is provided capable of simultaneously printing both on a “main” surface of a sheet of print media and along edges of that same sheet of print media, such that when the sheets are stacked after being printed, a predetermined image will appear along one or more of the sides of the stack. The “side image” is formed by the dots that have been printed along the edges of the individual sheets. The side image is generated during image processing of the print job, not by a post-processing step of marking or printing against the side of a stack that has already been printed. The printer can form the side images by printing along all four edges of a single piece of the sheet media, and also on one of that sheet's main surfaces, during a single pass through a printing station.

Abstract: A print system (0001) includes a print instruction device (0101), a print device (0102) and a print data supply device (0103). The print instruction device (0101) has a print instruction device (0111) which transmits, to the print device (0102), authentication information and a print instruction of print data in a print data supply device (0103). The print device (0102) has a print data requesting unit (0112) which transmits the authentication information according to the print instruction to the print data supply device (0103) and requests a transmission of print data, and a print data receiving unit (0113) which receives the print data from the print data supply device (0103).

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to allow a user to make a selection as to whether printing of print data is performed according to print setting is specified to be unchangeable, or according to restriction information indicating restriction in printing instructed by the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a printing device, an image orientation identification device, a medium orientation identification device, a conversion device, and a prohibition device. The printing device prints an image represented by image data onto a recording medium. The image orientation identification device identifies orientation of an image represented by the image data. The medium orientation identification device identifies orientation of the recording medium for use in printing by the printing device. The conversion device converts the image data, when there is inconsistency between the orientation of the image identified by the image orientation identification device and the orientation of the recording medium identified by the medium orientation identification device, such that the orientations of the image and the recording medium are consistent with each other. The prohibition device prohibits operation of the conversion device under a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An appropriate maintenance such as appropriate registration adjustment can be executed even if a status for the maintenance cannot be acquired from a printing apparatus. Specifically, if a status cannot be acquired from the printer, a printer driver refers to a history of number of past instructions for registration adjustment stored in a host computer to determine whether simplified registration adjustment or detailed registration adjustment is to be executed. If the printer driver does not detect any record of executed registration adjustment, that is, if the printer driver detects that no registration adjustment has been executed, then it determines that the simplified registration adjustment is to be executed. If the printer driver detects any record of executed registration adjustment, it determines that the detailed registration adjustment is to be executed. Thus, the invention enables the correct guidance and the corresponding appropriate registration adjustment even if the status cannot be acquired.

Abstract: Disclosed is/are printing system(s) suitable for photo studio(s) and having capabilities permitting proper management of print job execution history or histories, printer status(es), and/or the like. Photo studio(s) 1 has print server machine(s) 2 and plurality of client machines 5A, 5B connected via LAN(s) 4. Client machine(s) 5A, 5B create print job data which is received by print server machine(s) 2, the print job(s) being assigned to plurality of printers 3A, 3B where it or they is or are executed. Print server machine(s) 2 manage print job execution history, printer status, and/or other such print information. User(s) may employ WWW browser(s) of client machine(s) 5A, 5B to access print information at print server machine(s) 2. Furthermore, print server machine(s) 2 automatically inform client machine(s) 5A, 5B upon completion of execution of print job(s) and/or upon occurrence of printer error(s).

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, it is checked if a tab paper print setup is made. If it is determined that the tab paper print setup is made, it is checked if the face to be printed is the obverse or reverse face. If it is determined that the face to be printed is the obverse face, first drawing data is generated; if face to be printed is the reverse face, second drawing data is generated by adjusting the first drawing data.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a printing apparatus which enables a user to adjust easily and appropriately a direction of an image that is to be printed onto a recording object medium. When a user gives instructions for the execution of option printing, a personal computer displays on its monitor an option printing screen 100. The option printing screen 100 indicates print patterns 103a-103d representing states in which an “ABC” character string which constitutes an object image for printing is rotated in each of upward, downward, rightward and leftward directions. If a user selects any one of the print patterns 103a-103d, print data is produced based on an image hat has been rotated corresponding to the pattern. A tape printing apparatus prints onto a tape an image that has been rotated based on print data created by the personal computer and, by cutting a tape that has been discharged onto a tray, produces a label.

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus and the tape printing system capable of preventing deformation of the rollers or sticking thereof to a print head, and capable of preventing degradations in tape feeding accuracy and the inability to print. The tape printing apparatus has a platen roller and a tape feeding roller movable between a pressing position at which they are pressed against a tape accumulated in a cassette and a releasing position in which they are remote from the tape and arranged to perform printing by performing tape feeding upon disposing the platen roller and the tape feeding roller at the pressing position. The apparatus includes a roller driving portion that moves the platen roller and the tape feeding roller between the pressing position and the releasing position and a controller that controls the roller driving portion in correspondence with input signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing graphical information on a surface is provided. The apparatus comprises a printhead for printing on the surface, an image sensor for recording an image of the surface, and a processor for determining the position of the apparatus using the recorded image. The surface contains a position-coding pattern that identifies a position on the surface. Further, for at least one predetermined position, the printhead prints onto the surface in accordance with a predetermined attribute. The attribute is associated with the predetermined position.

Abstract: A method for preparing and printing a personalized book utilizing a software package installed on a personal computer is provided, wherein the method includes entering, via one or more graphical user interfaces displayed on the computer, personalization features for at least one character in the book, and editing, via one or more additional graphical user interfaces displayed on the computer, at least one of character names and text of a story included in the software package. The method also includes running a printer test to determine an orientation for blank pages on which the personalized book will be printed with respect to a printer connected to the personal computer, and printing the pages of the book in a single pass of the blank pages through the printer. The single printing pass includes the printing of the personalized text, personalized characters, and background illustrations. The method also includes binding the printed pages of the book.

Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of realizing a highly accurate simulated printing operation thereby shortening a development schedule and reducing development costs. In the image forming system, a plurality of printer functional modules perform operations for printing. A plurality of printer drivers drive the printer functional modules, respectively. A system controller is connected to the printer drivers via a general-purpose bus to control the printer drivers. A bus I/F connects an external computer to the image forming system via the general-purpose bus. Printer control software constructs a printer control environment enabling control identical to the control by the system controller to be performed on the printer drivers, on the external computer, to thereby carry out printer control. Simulation software cooperates with the printer control software to simulatively realize printing operation.

Abstract: As an example of embodiments, there is disclosed a peripheral device control method of realizing a function designated by the user by controlling a peripheral device.

Abstract: To provide a printing system and a printing apparatus which can ensure high-speed, normal printing with small memory requirements even when lots of print commands are sent to a printer. The printing apparatus includes a print mode determination unit which judges whether intermediate-language data can fit in a page memory when print command data is converted in normal print mode and selects the normal print mode if the data can fit in, but selects compressed print mode if the data cannot fit in. Furthermore, the print mode determination unit includes a data reprocessing unit which, when the compressed print mode is selected, reduces any compressible part of intermediate-language data which corresponds to fine-gradation image data in normal print mode using a compression/decompression process, output gradation conversion process, clipping process, or reversible compression process whichever is applicable before storing it again in the page memory.

Abstract: A printer includes: a print performing unit which can change a structure thereof and in which contents of an executable printing process change depending on the structure; an apparatus name information storing unit which stores a plurality of apparatus name information as identification information of the apparatus coordinated with the structure; and a request responding unit for transmitting the apparatus name information coordinated with the structure at that time when a prescribed request is received among the plurality of apparatus name information to an apparatus transmitting the request.

Abstract: Franchising an on-demand wallpaper printing business comprises a number of steps. Franchisees are provided with an on-demand printer. The printer is built into a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a printhead and from the printhead to a dispensing slot. The printer has one or more printer input devices which communicate with a processor to capture data regarding one or more customer requirements such as a customer selected pattern, or roll length or width. The franchisee may be provided with patterns in a digital storage medium that can be read by the printer, in lieu of new inventory. This enables the franchisee to print a roll of wallpaper, onto a web of blank media, on demand.

Abstract: Each printed sheet product includes a core of flexible, microvoided polymer sheet material and a planar RFID assembly encoded with a unique electro/magnetic code permanently and integrally joined together with the core. The microvoided sheet material collapses around the core so the sheet product remains planar. Scoring defines one or more individual identification elements removable from a remainder of the sheet product that include at least a first element with RFID assembly but only part of the core. A separate magnetic strip storing its own unique data magnetically can be provided on the first removable element even at least partially overlying the RFID assembly for independent identification operation.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus including a reception buffer which stores setting data and printing data of printing element arrays transmitted from a connected host device, and a printing buffer which stores the printing data of the printing element arrays in association with printing positions in a scanning direction, the printing data are controlled to be stored in the printing buffer by adjusting the storage positions of the printing data of the printing element arrays on the basis of registration information which is contained in the setting data and corresponds to the relative distance between the printing element arrays in the scanning direction. Read address information for reading out the printing data stored in the printing buffer is controlled for each printing element array. Printing is performed by driving each printing element array in accordance with the printing data read out on the basis of the read address information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the expedited reprinting of documents at a printer. The method comprises: receiving an initial print job identified with a job identification (JID); rendering the print job into a bitmap; in response to rendering the bitmap, initially printing a document; saving the bitmap in memory; and, in a job table, creating a cross-reference between the JID and the saved bitmap. Subsequently, the method comprises: receiving a selected JID; accessing the job table; accessing a print engine-ready bitmap associated with the JID by using the job table to locate a bitmap cross-referenced to the received JID; reading the located bitmap from a printer memory; and, reprinting a document in response to the bitmap. An associated network server can be used for posting a job table with selectable JIDs on an HTML webpage. Alternately, the JID selection is received in a print driver communication.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus is provided which can produce an appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image by adding a monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern even if monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which a color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set. When the monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which the color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern color is output with its color unchanged, the color is not converted into 100% black. Considering this, when a forced monochrome mode is selected and a user's setting for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is color, the user is notified to change a printing mode. Otherwise, the user is notified that the setting of the printing mode and the setting of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern are conflicting.

Abstract: A pen with a sensor is capable of marking a visible path on a surface, and effecting a change in an attribute of the visual path. The change is derived to a color or image sensed by the sensor.