Abstract: A combined printing and binding device which is designed to print and bind a multi-page interactive publication. The device includes a communicator which is designed to receive a set of page descriptions from a computer system. The page descriptions correspond to the pages of the interactive publication and each page description includes content information and coded data. The device also includes a printer which is designed to print, onto media sheets, each of the page descriptions received by the communicator. The printer does this by simultaneosly printing the content information in visible ink and the coded data in substantially invisible ink. The device also includes a binder that is designed to bind the printed media sheets together to form the printed, bound, interactive publication.

Abstract: A multifunction machine/server system capable of dealing with electronic documents at a higher efficiency and being actualized at low costs, is disclosed. The multifunction machine executes, when given a request for a second kind of process, the requested second kind of process without linkage with the server, and, when given a request for a first kind of process, requests the server to execute the first kind of process. The server incorporates a function of executing the first kind of processes that a plurality of multifunction machines request the server to execute. The multifunction machine/server system is constructed of the thus structured server and the plurality of thus structured multifunction machines.

Abstract: A method and system receives a print job from a host device, parses the print job into individual print data for at least two separate printing devices, generates a random set of marks for identification of the print job, embeds the identification marks into the individual print data for a first printing device; and sends the individual print data and the marks to each printing device. Simultaneously, each printing device in the system receives its individual dataset for printing and the set of identification marks from the control unit and starts its print engine at a high speed. The first printing device prints its dataset and the identification marks on at least a first page of the printed dataset. The remaining printing devices then scan the roll of print media until they recognize the matching identification marks and begin printing their individual dataset on the roll of print media.

Abstract: A printer for receiving document data from a computer system and printing an interface onto a surface. The interface is based on the document data, which includes identity data indicative of at least one identity. The identity is, in turn, associated with a region of the interface. The interface also includes coded data. The printer includes a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the identity data. A printing mechanism in the printer prints the interface onto the surface, including printing the coded data using an ink including an infrared-absorbing dye.

Abstract: A method for selectively printing different messages on labels printed by an in-store scale involves providing an in-store scale including a label printing mechanism with a supply of labels and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store. The scale label printing mechanism is configured in a first state and, during the first state, simultaneous printing of two types of information on a first label takes place. In particular, both (i) product information for a specified product to which the first label will be applied and (ii) a first message pertaining to a product which is different than the specified product to which the first label will be applied, are printed on the first label. The in-store scale receives a message control signal via the communications link which configures the scale label printing mechanism in a second state. During the second state, simultaneous printing of two types of information on a second label takes place.

Abstract: When reading image data stored on a detachable storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk and outputting the data using an image outputting device, data regarding modes in which the image data is to be output is stored in advance on a storage medium by an apparatus such as a personal computer, for example, which is different from the image outputting device. By loading the storage medium in the image outputting apparatus, the image data is read out and output in accordance with the stored output mode data, whereby it is possible to prevent the image outputting apparatus from being monopolized for a long period of time and to output data easily in a desired output mode.

Abstract: A method of raising the printing speed of an image printing device when time-division drive is performed, utilizes time-division drive using four times divisions. Image data is read out of the editing buffer of a RAM in regular order, in the form of a staircase, four dots at a time, and the image data is rearranged in the form of a staircase of eight dots in a print buffer within the same RAM. This makes it possible to transmit data from the RAM to a printhead one byte at a time in an efficient manner.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for forming print data to be print-processed by a printer is constructed by: designation receiving means for receiving designation of a duplex printing, discriminating means for discriminating the number of pages in the case where data to be printed has been arranged on a recording paper, and command adding means for receiving the designation of the duplex printing by the designation receiving means and, in the case where it is determined by the discriminating means that the number of pages of the recording paper on which the data to be printed has been arranged is equal to an odd number, adding a command to urge a forced paper ejection in the printer lest a blank page of the last page is logically counted in the printer. A print data forming method and a print control program for realizing such an apparatus and a memory medium which stores such a program are provided.

Abstract: An annotated digital photograph processing system that forms a plurality of composite image files from a plurality of corresponding digital images, annotation information and process control information, and prints them as a plurality of composite images on a roll of photographic medium. Each composite image file may be generated by a server computer, which also receives the components thereof, the file comprising the image and a first symbol. The first symbol includes process control information, and may optionally include annotation information. A roll containing the composite images is processed by a novel printing apparatus that comprises a scanner and inkjet print-heads connected to a control computer, to print the annotation and a second symbol, which includes process control information, directly behind the image to which they correspond after the destructive effects of photo-processing chemicals occur. Then, the first barcode is severed from the medium for each printed image.

Abstract: Internet-based printing to a home printer in which the print job is pre-rasterized at the cable head end and sent in rasterized format to the set top box. Because the print job is pre-rasterized at the cable head end, and not at the set top box, resources are not wasted at the set top box when they are more readily available at the cable head end. In addition, because of the high speed communication network already in existence between the cable head end and the set top box, even large pre-rasterized print jobs can be transmitted to the set top box in reasonable amounts of time, meaning more quickly than a situation in which it was the set top box that performed rasterization.

Abstract: A method for submitting jobs to a reproduction center includes electronically transmitting document data representing documents to be printed from a client to the reproduction center. A submission form description indicating print options currently available at the reproduction center is created on behalf of the reproduction center. The submission form description is suited for electronic transmission to a client and for generating a submission form at the client which is capable of being filled-in electronically by the client. An electronic document file is created upon receipt of a job request including document data from a client. The document data in the job request are stored, and the submission form description is sent to the client. Upon receipt of the submission form from the client with job specifications filled-in, the job specifications are stored in an electronic job ticket, which is linked to the document file.

Abstract: A relay device for providing communication between a sensing device and a computer system includes first and second communications modules and a processor. The first communications module receives first indicating data transmitted from the sensing device in a first format. The indicating data is sensed by the sensing device when it is placed into an operative position in relation to first coded data forming part of a first interface disposed on a first surface. In particular, the indicating data includes a first region identity indicative of an identity of a region associated with the first interface. The processor is configured to generate second indicating data based on the first indicating data. The second communications module then transmits the second indicating data in a second format to the computer system.

Abstract: An image to be printed is stored in an image storage memory of approximately 1.3 Mbytes. An image access unit accesses the image and transfers the image to a printhead interface on command from the central processing unit. The printhead interface transforms the image to a 1600 dpi dithered bi-level CMY image for printing by a monolithic printhead.

Abstract: A printing system simultaneously prints both images and related information which is recorded together with the images. The print output may be unsuitable for use, depending on the combination of the image layout and positions where the related information is printed. To obviate this problem, an image processing apparatus lays out, on a recording medium, a plurality of images and information related to each of the images. The image processing apparatus has an image layout changing unit and an image layout controlling unit. The image layout changing unit changes a layout method for laying out the plurality of images. The image layout controlling unit determines, in accordance with the layout method changed by the layout changing unit, whether the related information is to be located within or outside areas of the associated images.

Abstract: In a unitary business machine with a top, bottom, front, back and two sides, a customized form output apparatus includes an electronic data storage device for storing preselected customized forms. A display is connected to the data storage device for displaying stored forms. A selector is connected to the data storage device for selecting forms from the display and an integral hard copy printer is connected to the data storage device for printing a hard copy of the forms as selected. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a wall mount connected to the back for mounting the apparatus on a wall. In further aspects of the invention, the display is a flat panel display and the selector is a touch screen overlaying the display.

Abstract: A controller for a printer module having a printhead that prints an image on printable media including a low speed central processing unit with associated program memory storing program steps for execution by the central processing unit to operate the printer module and associated scratch memory to store program variables. An image to be printed is stored in an image storage memory of approximately 1.3Mbytes. An image access unit accesses the image and transfers the image to a printhead interface on command from the central processing unit. The printhead interface transforms the image to a 1600 dpi dither CMY image for printing by a monolithic printhead. The controller also includes one or more interface units communicating with components of said printer module under control of the central processing unit. A Serial Bus interface communicates with the Serial Bus of a compact printer system to transfer data and power between modules.

Abstract: Systems and method for activating a confidential print job from a remote device. A printer receives a print job containing personal and/or confidential information together with an indication for the printer to hold, or defer, the print job until an activation command is received. The print job is not printed until the owner of the information transmits an activation command from a remote, portable electronic device. This insures that the owner of the information is present at the printer when the print job is printer. The owner of the information is thus assured that no person other than the owner will receive the information.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system capable of outputting print of a style desired by the user without any waste of sheets. In a printing system according to the present invention achieving this object, a plurality of different output styles corresponding to print contents are stored in a memory (106, 214), a print content to be image-formed is specified by a specifying unit (102, 107, 108, 213), image data is converted into the output style corresponding to the specified print content by a controller (104, 211), and image formation is performed by an image forming unit (220) based on the converted data. Output styles may be stored so that the user can select thereamong.

Abstract: An image correction apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains image data from outside constituted of a plurality of pixels each having a value in a color component among a plurality of color components; an average value calculation unit that calculates average values of color component values corresponding to individual color components in the image data; and a correction unit that corrects the color component values of individual pixels to match the average values of the color component values corresponding to individual color components with at least one specific reference value.

Abstract: Disclosed is method of identifying a device that has been connected to a multifunction apparatus to which any device of a plurality of types can be selectively attached, wherein the method makes it possible to prevent malfunction if a device is attached or connected unsatisfactorily. A timing signal for acquiring information that identifies a device is transmitted to the attached device, identifying information transmitted from the attached device in accordance with the timing signal is received, and it is determined, with regard to a device of a specific type, whether specific data contained in the identifying information is indicative of a predetermined value. If it has been determined that the specific data is indicative of the predetermined value, then control is exercised on the assumption that the connected device is that of the specific type.