Abstract: A printer prints a black mark BM having a left mark edge BMa and a right mark edge BMb on a paper P. An encoder offset SH_L_EDG for the left mark edge BMa is set based on the difference between the carriage position (encoder value PR_ENC_L) that is detected when the print head 10 prints the left mark edge BMa and the carriage position (encoder value SEN_ENC_L) that is detected when the media sensor 68 detects the left mark edge BMa. Similarly, an encoder offset SH_R_EDG for the right mark edge BMb is set based on the difference between the carriage position (encoder value PR_ENC_R) that is detected when the print head 10 prints the right mark edge BMb and the carriage position (encoder value SEN_ENC_R) that is detected when the media sensor 68 detects the right mark edge BMb. In this way, the printer can suppress the effects of mounting error and can prevent a decline in accuracy when detecting edges of the paper P.

Abstract: A character size is set according to the number of characters of a character string to be printed, and the number of printing operation times of a printer section and each operational condition of a rotation angle of a rotatable plate, which supports a recoding medium, which correspond to one printing operation, are set. According to the set operational condition, a part of the character string arranged in an arc shape is printed by one printing operation of the printer section in a state that the rotational plate is stopped, and the rotational plate is driven to rotate the recording medium by the set angle before a next printing operation is started. The printing operation and the rotating operation are repeated, thereby printing a series of character string on the circumference around a circular hole of the recording medium.

Abstract: Based on both logical information and layout information capable of discriminating a fixed portion of print data from a variable portion of the print data in a process operation of a first page of a printing matter, a printing control system separates the variable portion of the print data from the fixed portion of the print data, and preliminarily registers the print data of the fixed portion into a storage apparatus provided on a printing apparatus. While a process operation for a second page of the printing matter and a process operation for a fixed portion having the same format, to which a printing process operation has been once carried out, are not repeatedly carried out, since only the variable portion of the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, both data transfer time for the printing apparatus and printing process time can be shortened.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring a printing parameter of a printer, as well as a corresponding printing system, printing data are printed out, before being transmitted to a printer, by means of a further printer. The further printer is coupled to a sensor arrangement and monitored by means of a control unit, for determining desired values by using the printout produced by the further printer. By using this printout, a predetermined criterion is determined for a comparison of the printing parameter.

Abstract: A medium-edge setting device detects edges of a paper (S110) and acquires data for left and right edge candidate positions (S120). The medium-edge setting device determines whether the difference between left and right center-edge distances is less than or equal to a predetermined value (S150). If so (S150: YES), the right edge position is set to the right edge candidate position and the left edge position is set to the left edge candidate position (S160). If not (S150: NO), the paper is conveyed a predetermined amount (S190) and the paper edge detection is repeated. If the repetitions of the paper-edge detecting process exceed a predetermined number (S180: NO), then the larger of the left and right center-edge distances is set as the distance from the center of the paper to each edge position, and the left and right edge positions are set according to this distance (S200, S210, S220).

Abstract: A method (40) and apparatus (30) is described for performing image rendering of high resolution computer generated images using limited memory and constrained rendering architectures. An image is segmented into a plurality of tiles (110). A graphics renderer (17), which is usually used for rendering low resolution images onto a display device (19), is used to render one tile (110) at a time. The rendered tile images are combined to form a band of the image (101) and the image data of the band (101) is transferred to a printer engine (20) for printing. Each band (101) is rendered and transferred to the printer engine (20) until the whole image is printed.

Abstract: When a print process command is outputted from a port terminal, an MFP displays first print information related to the print process command of the port terminal on a display unit. On the other hand, when a print process command is outputted from a personal computer, the MFP receives authentication information, and displays second print information related to the print process command of the personal computer on the display unit only when the received authentication information matches pre-stored authentication information. Then, the MFP prints print data outputted from the personal computer on condition that the second print information is displayed on the display unit. For example, the staff in a shop can print the print data for business use by using an MFP for use by customers in the shop while ensuring security, and it is possible to prevent confusion between a plurality of customers and the shop staff in operating the MFP.

Abstract: A printing system is provided with a controller and a printing device that houses sheets of printing paper of a plurality of kinds. The controller has a storing means for storing cover page data used for forming a front cover and a rear cover of a booklet and body page data used for forming a body of the booklet, and, after having set different print formats with respect to the cover page data and body page data, successively outputs the cover page data and the body page data to the printing device. The printing device, with respect to the cover page data and the body page data transmitted from the controller, prints the cover portion and the body portion on sheets of printing paper of different kinds based upon the print formats respectively set. Thus, it is possible to successively supply printed sheets corresponding to the cover portion and the body portion to an automatic bookbinding machine.

Abstract: The invention provides high-speed and high-quality printing when the vertical and horizontal resolutions of print data to be printed differ from the vertical and horizontal resolutions which a printer can process. A table is provided, in which the relationship of position in each printing pass of each of a plurality of pins aligned in the vertical direction of a printing head to a plurality of raster lines in a predetermined range to be printed is examined, whereby the pins aligned in the vertical line to be actuated in each printing pass are determined based on the relationship of a position between each of the pins and each of the raster lines. The table serves as a raster-line/pin-relationship table. A printer driver receives print data from a print-data forming unit, consults the raster-line/pin-relationship table, and actuates the pins for each printing pass according to the raster-line/pin-relationship table.

Abstract: A lamination imaging system of the present invention includes a printing system and a lamination module connected to the printing system. The lamination module includes a module logic unit for generating imaging instructions. The lamination module forms an image from a plurality of printed sheets sent from the printing system based on these imaging instructions. In particular, through a lamination finishing sequence, the lamination module laminates the plurality of printed sheets to form the image.

Abstract: A printing system, a printing method and a recording medium are capable of conducting printing efficiently. Regarding the first printing means for printing images per one print in the first size and discharging these images, and the second printing means for printing images per multiple copies in the first size and discharging these images, the number of prints to be allocated to the first and second printing means is determined so that printing is finished in a minimum amount of time corresponding to the total number of prints of the first size to be printed. And, based on the determination result, the first and the second printing means are controlled.

Abstract: A blister packaging production line preferably includes an unmarked supply of backing for blister packaging, a printer for selectively printing on the backing and a host system controlling the printer and providing a variety of desired designs to the printer. The design being printed on the backing can be changed on-demand by transmitting a new design from the host system to the printer. Additionally, a blister packaging production line may include an unmarked supply of material backing for blister packaging, a printer for selectively printing on the material and a shaping device for forming recesses in the material that will receive items being blister packaged. The printed design can be of any desired length.

Abstract: A printing system, a printing method and a recording medium are capable of conducting printing efficiently. Regarding the first printing means for printing images per one print in the first size and discharging these images and the second printing means for printing images per multiple copies in the first size and discharging these images, the number of prints to be allocated to the first and second printing means is determined so that printing is finished in a minimum amount of time corresponding to the total number of prints of the first size to be printed. And, based on the determination result, the first and the second printing means are controlled.

Abstract: A designation information list 21 containing designation information is provided in a process designating apparatus 20, and a control mode table 31 which defines the actuation of the process designating apparatus, an information reader 33 which reads the designation information from the process designating apparatus 20, and a process controller 34 which acquires a prescribed control mode from the control mode table 31 to perform a prescribed process control are provided in a process control apparatus 30 so that the process designating apparatus 20 only represents the designation information and the process control apparatus 30 reads this designation information to perform the process control through the prescribed control mode.

Abstract: The present invention conducts printing by controlling the jobs previously input to the printer. The job for conducting printing by unifying a plurality of jobs reads the respective jobs previously input to the storage device and conducts printing on printing paper thereby. Further, the job for designating bookbinding processing such as binding printed matter with a staple performs bookbinding processing designated to printed matter to be output. Accordingly, after inputting individual jobs prepared with a variety of application software to the printer, the user may conduct printing by controlling such jobs.

Abstract: A receipt issuing method and a receipt printer capable of smoothly performing a receipt issuing operation even if it takes relatively long time to print header information such as a logo. In time period from the detection of input of a print instruction to the completion of output and cutoff of a receipt, only a dealing information print processing and paper feed are executed so as to promptly issue the receipt. In standby time period right after issuance of the receipt is completed and before a data input operation for dealing with a next customer starts, the header information is printed to include time required to print the header information in the standby time. By doing so, even if it takes long time to perform a header information print operation, it is possible to prevent time required to perform the substantial receipt issuing operation itself from increasing.

Abstract: A print system receives an image file and a print order file from a customer, the image file having an image data area and an order data area. The print system copies information of the received print order file into the order data area of the received image file. The print system produces a print of the image data in the image file according to the information in the order data area of the image file. The print system has a printer capable of producing a print of a predetermined image data provided by a third party as well as that of the image data of the customer. The print system delivers to the customer the print ordered by the customer as well as the print of the predetermined image data. The print system selects a group of orders among all the orders in accordance with the destination of delivery for controlling the printer to give priority to the group of orders in producing the prints.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a parcel comprises an article enclosed in a wrapper folded around the article wherein the wrapper comprises a fiat sheet of print media having delivery information and postage printed thereon and folded around the article. In another embodiment, a method comprises simultaneously printing delivery information and postage on a sheet of print media. In another embodiment, a computer useable medium includes computer readable instructions thereon for simultaneously printing delivery information and postage on a sheet of print media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating print drivers is described. The described system includes a port monitor that monitors the configuration and status of a printer. When changes occur to the configuration of a printer, the port monitor updates a print driver registry on the print server. The port monitor also wakes the print driver on the print server and informs the print driver of the configuration changes. Depending on the client operating system used, a client device connected to the server's shared print queue may either directly read or request the configuration data from the print server. In some client operating systems, the client device may also update a local registry on the client device to reflect the changes in configuration of the printer. The described system allows print drivers to have a consistent interface to printer configuration and status data regardless of which version of the Microsoft Windows Operating System is used by the each.

Abstract: An item processing system for and a method of processing items each having an indicium printed thereon, the system comprising: at least one item printing station for printing indicia on items, wherein the indicia are printed at least one of at one of a plurality of locations, with one of a plurality of footprints and in at least one of a plurality of inks as defined by a configuration signal; and at least one item handling station for handling items having indicia printed thereon by the at least one item printing station, wherein each item handling station is configured to inspect each item for at least one of an indicium in a field of defined location, an indicium of defined footprint and an indicium in at least one defined ink as defined by the configuration signal; wherein the configuration signal is changed at intervals such that at least one of the location, the footprint and the at least one ink of the indicia printed on items is changed at each interval and correspondingly at least one of the field of

Abstract: A status data transmission control apparatus and method reduces the buffer size needed for transmission and significantly reduces the communication load by storing the most recent status data (of continuously generated status data) and a history of status data changes in a dedicated buffer. The most recent status data and the history of changes leading up to the most recent status data are sent to the host.

Abstract: A method and system for printing an image such as a postal indicium. A sequence of graphic data blocks is formed, the sequence forming a bitmap representative of the image. The blocks are randomly reordered to form a new sequence, and the blocks are printed in the new sequence without substantial distortion. The blocks may be printed in varying directions, and the printhead may move at varying rates of travel and print at proportional rates as the blocks are printed so as to print the image without substantial distortion. The system may include a motor responsive to a programmable controller and mechanically coupled to the printhead for positioning the printhead, and the programmable controller and the motor can be enclosed in a secure housing so that no signals for controlling the motor are available outside of the housing.

Abstract: A method and system for printing an image such as a postal indicium. A sequence of graphic data blocks is formed, the sequence forming a bitmap representative of the image. The blocks are randomly reordered to form a new sequence, and the blocks are printed in the new sequence without substantial distortion. The blocks may be printed in varying directions, and the printhead may move at varying rates of travel and print at proportional rates as the blocks are printed so as to print the image without substantial distortion. The system may include a motor responsive to a programmable controller and mechanically coupled to the printhead for positioning the printhead, and the programmable controller and the motor can be enclosed in a secure housing so that no signals for controlling the motor are available outside of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing, scanning engraving or cutting a flat horizontal surface, particularly when the surface is of non-standard dimensions or is supplied in an non-standard manner. The apparatus is suitable for following outside electromechanically commanded instruction and contains an instrument for printing, scanning, engraving or cutting in a stepwise manner by being accurately raised and lowered to the surface and a component for treating the surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reprogramming a programmable product, such as, a printer, a wireless communication device, or a portable computer. A software programmable product that includes memory for storing product operation information and a method for configuring the software programmable products is provided. Software is configurable by data stored on an RFID tag. Data stored on the RFID is transferred reprogramming circuitry of the production which sets the configurable operating parameters. This configures the products features and options as desired by the specific user without requiring an external programming device or destructive entering into the packages or internals of the product. An RFID located in an electronic product, within or upon its packaging, or on an accessory may be loaded with reprogramming data such as media configuration data or usage data. The RFID reader may be located on a kiosk.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for splitting a print job lacking page independence into selected job portions wherein the job portions can be independently processed in a plurality of processing nodes into a printer dependent format for printing by a printer. The print job is searched for selected tokens/idioms known to normally generate a fault upon the independent processing if the print job were to be split into the selected job portions that were intended to be handled independently. The selected tokens found in the search are saved. The print job is then split into the selected portions and the tokens are then associated with the split job portions for guaranteeing processing independence during the processing by the processing nodes.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing characters on a printing tape for use as a label to be adhered to an article for adhesion has a display for displaying characters inputted into the printing apparatus, a printer for printing the inputted characters on the printing tape, an automatic setting device for automatically setting a print size of the characters according to a tape width of a loaded printing tape, and selection setting device for selectively setting the print size of the characters from among a plurality of print sizes determined in stages. The selection setting device has a fixed-size setting device capable of selectively setting a specific print size corresponding to a selected concrete article for adhesion.

Abstract: A printer includes a communication unit which receives a plurality of pictures to be printed, in which pictures video on a TV are captured, a command receiving unit which receives a user input of a print setting for specifying a sectioning method of a print sheet, an outputting unit which prints the received pictures on the print sheet according to the print setting, and a control unit which controls the outputting unit to stand by for the pictures until they are received by the number corresponding to number of printing areas obtained by sectioning the print sheet.

Abstract: With conventional analog printers, ordinary users are experienced in the subtract color mixture for adjustment of image colors. Therefore, when adjusting the colors in an image displayed on a monitor of a video player and set by the additive color mixture, a user has difficulty if not familiar with the complementary relation between colors. The present invention proposes a printer and color adjusting method in which images of which a designated portion changed in color balance using a gamma (&ggr;) data table in an image processor are printed in one printing paper and the user is prompted to select one of the images for storage in the printer. Thus, the user can select an image having colors he desires from images actually used and set the selected data into the printer. Thus, after the color adjustment, a desired print whose set colors are automatically stored can be provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for high volume print-forming of structures made up of multiple separate layers. A support bed is provided which has multiple steps arrayed thereon at different heights. Substrate blocks rest upon each of the steps. A printing process is utilized to print material from which the structures are to be formed down onto the substrate blocks. This printing process prints different layers onto each of the substrate blocks. The substrate blocks then move to a different step on the support bed and the printing process is repeated. Each support block has a partial structure thereon which receives its next successive layer in each printing cycle until the partial structure becomes a completed structure by having each of its layers sequentially printed thereon. Subsystems are provided for moving the substrate blocks upon the support bed and for properly holding and aligning substrate blocks upon the support bed.

Abstract: When one print job is distributed and printed by a plurality of printing apparatuses, it is intended that a desired print result of the user can be certainly obtained. A virtual distribution printer 12 detects an attribute of the print job which is inputted from an application 11, sets the minimum division unit, in accordance with the detected attribute, in which even if the inputted print job is divided, the print result is not changed, divides the print job on the basis of the minimum division unit, and distributes and outputs the divided print jobs to a plurality of printers 13 to 16, thereby enabling the print result expected by the user to be certainly obtained.

Abstract: An arrangement for printing a print image having regions of different print image resolution onto a moving postal item in a mail processing device has a microprocessor, a pixel memory, a read-only memory and a print data controller for pixel data editing while printing with a printhead. The microprocessor is programmed to operate from data in the read-only memory, a number of data strings having a switchable number of data words and to store them in the pixel memory. A maximum number of data words per data string is downwardly transgressed when the pixel data are stored compressed. The print data controller undertakes pixel data editing while printing with the printhead and is equipped to decompress the compressed pixel data per data string and to supplement the pixel data missing due to the compression such that the reduction of the number of data words per data string corresponds to the reduction in the resolution during printing.

Abstract: A clock generator for generating a clock signal for an imaging device serving for transferring image-setting information to a rotatable printing form which includes an input to which an actual value signal dependent upon an angular position of the printing form is applicable, and an output for outputting the clock signal. It further includes a first comparator having a first input whereto the actual value signal is applicable as an analog signal, a second input to which an analog nominal value signal, respectively, representing a nominal value for the angular position of the printing form, is applicable, and an output for outputting the clock signal formed as a function of a result of a comparison between the analog actual value signal and the analog nominal value signal; an imaging device and a printing machine including the clock generator; and a method of generating a clock signal for an imaging operation.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides for a printing device which is connectable to a computer. The printing device includes a user interface which includes a primary user interface button. When the printing device is not connected to the computer and the primary user interface button is actuated in an intended manner, the printing device prints a demonstration page. However, when the printing device is connected to the computer then the printing device is configured to detect the presence of the computer, and to perform a function defined within the computer when the primary user interface button is actuated in the intended manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method that facilitates the assignment of a print job in a printing system that has one of more printers (10,11,12) connected to a computer-based printing system (1) so that the printers economically match the requirements of a print job generated by the printing system. Each printer (10,11,12) has a plurality of different printing configurations and each computer (2,3,4) is capable of generating at least one print job. Each print job has corresponding printing requirements and each printing configuration being capable of satisfying one or more printing requirements. A print job, once created, is notionally assigned across one or more of the printers (10,11,12) in such a way that the printers have printing configurations that are capable of satisfying the printing requirements. The cost for printing the print jobs is then calculated for that notional assignment.

Abstract: In a printer having a function of automatically finding out a paper feeder satisfying the condition that the paper size specified in print data and the paper size set in the printer match and then printing, if they match and it is made impossible to find out any paper feeder in which paper remains although print data processing is not complete (paper error state), the user can change the paper size set in the printer and if the paper size is changed to the correct size (print enable state), the printing is continued.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method capable of preventing stacks of printed sheets from falling apart which can occur when continuously printing stacks of sheets of different sheet sizes. A printing press is controlled to suspend printing for removal of printed sheets, to change the storage destination of the printed sheets or to change printing order, based on a result of sequential or simultaneous comparisons between print sizes of a plurality of print data and a previously determined permissible limit.

Abstract: A method is provided for tracking printed articles. Input indicating that a first carrier is being mounted to take up printed articles is read, and an ID of the first carrier is read in. A record associating the printed articles with the first carrier is made. In a preferred embodiment, the ID of the first carrier is read in by reading a bar code of the first carrier. Also provided is a system for producing custom printed articles.

Abstract: A method for controlling the printing in a mail processing device proceeds on the basis of a word-by-word storage of binary pixel data in the pixel memory with a predefined number of successive data words forming a data string, and a predefined number of data strings representing at least one print image. This facilitates a modification of variable binary pixel data in the pixel memory when the sequence of the binary pixel data in at least a part of the respective data string coincides with the sequence of pixels in at least one corresponding print image column that is provided for the printing. After a word-by-word transmission of binary pixel data of a data string from the pixel memory by direct memory access (DMA), an intermediate storage of the data string ensues in a pixel data editing unit before a pixel data editing is implemented during the printing with an ink jet printhead.

Abstract: When printing materials are supplied from a printhead, which is used to supply a plurality of types of printing materials having the same color and different densities on the basis of CD and printing OD value values obtained from image data, onto each pixel to print an image including a plurality of pixels expressed by combinations of the plurality of types of printing materials on a printing medium, a table storing pieces of ink information #1 to #8 representing combinations of inks in correspondence with pieces of address information A1 to A16 representing the positions of a plurality of pixels for the respective CD values ranging from 0 to 4096 with respect to the respective CD and OD values is looked up, combination information of inks to be used to print a target pixel is acquired on the basis of the CD and OD values and address information A1 to A16 of the target pixel, and the target pixel is printed by supplying inks from a printhead onto the target pixel on the basis of the combination inform

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the appearance of, and safeguarding, sales receipts. The methods provide sales receipts with watermarks, strike-throughs, and circles-about-an-item. These added functions can be accomplished in real time. Some of them can be printed in distinguishing colors.

Abstract: A Web server is accessed using a cellular telephone. When desired digital content desired to be printed is found, the user designates a location at which this digital content is to be printed. The digital content is transmitted from the Web server to a printing terminal that has been installed at the designated location, and the printing terminal prints the digital content. The user goes to the designated location and picks up the printout. Even if the user is on the road, therefore, desired digital content that has been stored in the Web server can be printed out and received.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the printing in a mail-processing device has a print data controller for pixel data editing while printing with a print heads. The print data controller is composed of a pixel data-editing unit and a circuit including a DMA controller, an address is generator and a printer controller. The DMA controller allows access to the binary pixel data stored in the pixel memory in order to make the data available to the pixel data-editing unit in data strings. The address generator generates addresses that are supplied to the pixel data-editing unit for the selection of the binary pixel data from an intermediately stored data string and for grouping in the required sequence. The printer controller drives the pixel data-editing unit in order to supply the binary pixel data in groups to a driver unit for the print head.

Abstract: An image forming device for connection to first and second external devices, including a control unit having an alternate operation mode for performing alternating communication with external devices by switching communication at a predetermined cycle. During communication with one of such external devices, the control unit enables reception of commands and/or a print-start signal from that external device and refuses reception of commands and a print-start signal from another external device. When communication is changed over from one external device to another external device, the control unit provides an interval in which reception of commands and a print-start signal from both external devices is refused for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A control device manages an electronically actuated device for the purpose of ejecting liquids onto a substrate in a controlled manner.

Abstract: At least one printer is connected to an image source such as a digital camera via a network. When the printer receives a notification from the image source to switch a first image displayed on a display device to a second image, the printer displays an identifier of the second image according to the notification, and lights up an LED on a print button provided on the printer. When a period in which the printer is permitted to print the displayed image reaches a set time before a timeout, the LED on the print button is flashed. When the timeout is reached, the LED is turned off. When the print button is depressed, the printer sends a request for an image to the image source, receives image data for the image sent from the image source, and prints the image.

Abstract: A floor printer has a printing device and a fiducial nozzle along a bottom of a housing. The fiducial nozzle deposits a marks on a medium. The printing device forms an image on the medium.

Abstract: In a print service method for a printing system, text data contained in a mail received by a mobile phone owned by a user, and attachment file data attached to the received mail are downloaded into the printing system from the mobile phone. Application software corresponding to the attachment file data is selected from application software stored in the printing system, thereby opening the attachment file data by using the selected application software. The text data and the attachment file data opened by the selected application software are printed onto a printing medium.

Abstract: One or more beverage container labels and the method for creating a first static part and a second variable part including printing the image on the label using a single pass. The printing apparatus having a computer with memory to store a first static portion of an image and a second variable portion of an image so that a rasterizer connected to the memory and combining the first static portion and the second variable portion can form an image for printing. The apparatus also has a printer connected to the rasterizer for printing the image on a label in one step.

Abstract: A print system receives an image file and a print order file from a customer, the image file having an image data area and an order data area. The print system copies information of the received print order file into the order data area of the received image file. The print system produces a print of the image data in the image file according to the information in the order data area of the image file. The print system has a printer capable of producing a print of a predetermined image data provided by a third party as well as that of the image data of the customer. The print system delivers to the customer the print ordered by the customer as well as the print of the predetermined image data. The print system selects a group of orders among all the orders in accordance with the destination of delivery for controlling the printer to give priority to the group of orders in producing the prints.