Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is superior in operability and does not uselessly read image data is provided. When image data is once read and then a copy start key is pressed again, a determination is made as to whether an automatic document feeder has not been opened and a new original has not been set in the automatic document feeder from the end of a previous read operation to the next pressing of the start key. If the condition is satisfied, image data which is stored in a memory by the previous read operation is read out and printed. If the condition is not satisfied, an original image is read again.

Abstract: A display signal for character “A” has a structure comprising multiple layers (layers a to d) at the resolution of, for instance, level n to level n+3. The higher the level is, the high resolution of a print image is. A display signal at a required level is selected according to a purpose of printing. When a desired level is selected, a corresponding layer is extracted by a format changing section. For instance, when the level n+2 is selected, the layer c is extracted. Printing is executed with the resolution at this level n+2. Selection of resolution can be made in the side of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: The printer driver receives print data from an application software program. When the received print data is font data, the printer driver transmits the font data as it is to the printer. When the print data is other than font data, but is vector data, for example, the printer driver converts the received data into bitmap data of the host-based-type format. The printer driver then transfers the converted print data to the printer. In the printer, when the received print data is bitmap data, information on the bitmap data is registered in a packet structure, and is then set in a development buffer. When the received print data is font data, on the other hand, the font data is registered in the packet structure. The font data is then developed into bitmap data, and then set over the already-set bitmap data in the development buffer. Thus, composite bitmap data is created and printed out.

Abstract: When a holder of an ID card approaches an image formation instructing device for sending an image forming instruction to an image forming apparatus, an ID code stored in a RF-ID element built in the ID card is read by a RF communication device, an image forming operation is executed, and the number of sheets for image formation is counted by counting means. Further, the counted number of sheets for image formation is associated with an ID code having predetermined bearing on the personal ID code read by the RF communication device and thereafter stored and held in a number-of-sheets file. Thus, the number of sheets for image formation is managed without preparing a key counter, a key card, etc. and without special operation.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a printing program to communicate with a printer relies on a plug and play manager to detect the presence of a printer and send a notification message to the printing program when a device driver registers a new device in the operating system registry. In response to the message, the printing program calls a function in a dynamic port monitor that retrieves the new device registration information from the operating system registry. The dynamic port monitor then creates a port name for the printer and associates it with the physical printer port. The dynamic port monitor also periodically determines whether any excess ports need to be deleted.

Abstract: Image data is stored on a removable external card together with previous printing information relating to printing of this image data. Accordingly, when printing identical with that executed previously is carried out, the need to make printing settings again is eliminated by performing printing based upon the stored information. By further storing printing paper information in the external card, information regarding a new type of printing paper can be registered in an image processing apparatus with ease. This makes it possible for the apparatus to print properly even on a new type of paper.

Abstract: In this invention, a function is added to a digital copying machine or a function of the digital copying machine is changed from a remote terminal by using a window image displayed on an operation unit of the digital copying machine. This allows an operator of the remote terminal to check the arrangement and shapes of actual operation buttons by which functions are displayed on the operation unit. It is possible to avoid choosing a wrong icon for assigning or changing a function and present changes of functions readily understandable by an operator.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to automatically select an optimum printing device according to the characteristics of a page in units of pages to print the page, thereby reducing the load on the operator in print processing. For this purpose, it is determined in units of pages whether data to be printed contains color information. If color information is present, a color flag is set to ON. When the color flag is ON, print data prepared and developed in a page buffer is sent to a color printer. When the color flag is OFF, the print data prepared and developed in the page buffer is sent to a monochromatic printer.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to automatically select an optimum printing device according to the characteristics of a page in units of pages to print the page, thereby reducing the load on the operator in print processing. For this purpose, it is determined in units of pages whether data to be printed contains color information. If color information is present, a color flag is set to ON. When the color flag is ON, print data prepared and developed in a page buffer is sent to a color printer. When the color flag is OFF, the print data prepared and developed in the page buffer is sent to a monochromatic printer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can execute an image process which is desired by a client while minimizing a connection time and an interactive communication between the client and the image processing apparatus is provided. To accomplish the above object, according to the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for receiving an agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes. This apparatus is constructed by: control means for controlling the image processing unit; interpreting means for interpreting the operation train of the agent; and message output means for outputting a message to the control means in response to the operation train interpreted by the interpreting means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for printing to a selected destination in a computer system. A centralized print manager provides the implementation and control of operation for print services, such as tile printing or color separations. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes: generating print events to provide a specific print service to a client application, where the print events request information from the client application according to the specific print service; and receiving responses to the print events from the client application, where at least one response includes print data to be printed to a destination.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a receipt interface I/F, a hard disk, and a printer section. The receipt interface I/F receives pages of image data transmitted and a partial print request signal requesting that only a part of the image data be printed, both transmitted through a communication line. The hard disk stores both the image data and the partial print request signal. The printer section prints a part of the image data stored in the hard disk, in response to the partial print request signal that the receipt interface I/F has received.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information processing apparatus which is handy for a user. In the information processing apparatus, a user interface of a control program for controlling a peripheral is automatically formed in accordance with a function obtained from the peripheral.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit for acquiring information from a printer connected through a bidirectional interface, and a control unit for controlling a display status of a virtual printer, which is displayed on a display screen and represents the printer, on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit. An output apparatus includes a setting unit for setting an operating environment, and a changing unit for changing operating environment information set by the setting unit on the basis of information acquired from an information processing apparatus connected through a bidirectional interface.

Abstract: In a print system provided with a printer and a first inputting device to input image data and first print service dealing information into the printer; there is further provided a second inputting device to input image data and second print service dealing information different from the first print service dealing information into the printer, and the printer produces a print on the basis of an input from the first inputting device or the second inputting device.

Abstract: A virtual ejection port is selected by assigning virtual ejection ports to the virtual N ejection ports, then an ejection port of the apparatus is selected for output, and, in response to the entry of a print job designated for output to the virtual ejection port, the ejection port of the apparatus is determined by correlating the virtual ejection port with the ejection port of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet media system comprising an apparatus for utilizing sheet media; and a radio-frequency identification transceiver associated with said apparatus for communicating with a transponder associated with sheet media utilized by said apparatus.

Abstract: A computerized method for controlling the density of pixels deposited by a print engine includes the steps of: (a) obtaining a two-dimensional pixel map of an image to be printed; (b) comparing a value of a first pixel element in the pixel map with values of pixel elements adjacent to the first pixel element in the pixel map; (c) changing the value of the first pixel element responsive to a determination, in the comparing step, that a predetermined number of pixel elements adjacent to the first pixel element have the same value as the first pixel element; and (d) dispatching the pixel map to a print engine. The comparing step (b) includes the steps of assigning like-value pixel elements immediately adjacent to the first pixel element a first weight, assigning like-value pixel elements diagonally adjacent to the first pixel element a second weight, different than the first weight, adding the assigned weights together to produce a total weight, and testing the weight against a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus defines a dither mask (DM) and printmask (PM) with corresponding dimensions. In one invention form the DM dimension is not an integral factor or multiple of the PM dimension. The two dimensions may be lengths or widths; preferably the apparatus manages both; the corresponding dimensions differ by at least three pixels, and by a multiple of two pixels—more preferably eight or a multiple of eight. Preferably one dimension is an integral multiple of 256 pixels differing by eight pixels from the other. Another invention form has a scanning printhead making multiple passes across a print medium to form swaths of marks, a mechanism to define an offset smaller than at least one of the two dimensions, and a unit to index one mask by that offset between forming of successive swaths. This is valuable if DM and PM are established by preprogrammed circuits (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention includes data imaging methods and image forming devices. One aspect of the present invention provides a data imaging method including the steps of providing an image forming device including a filter interface; communicating at least one data stream within the image forming device; adaptively interfacing a filter with the filter interface of the image forming device; accessing at least one data stream using the filter following the interfacing; and forming an image following the accessing.