Abstract: In a system in which an editing server and a plurality of client computers are capable of communicating with one another, an edited image can be generated by the plurality of client computers. When image data is transmitted from the image server to the client computer, the resolution of image data to be transmitted is reduced in correspondence with the resolution of a monitor display device connected to the client computer. Further, the number of colors of an image represented by the image data is decreased in correspondence with the number of colors which can be displayed on the monitor display device. The data quantity of the image data to be transmitted is reduced, so that time required to transmit the image data is shortened. A client computer and a main image server are connected to each other. A user image to be synthesized on a template image is read in the client computer.

Abstract: A camera device includes an image data generation unit which generates image data corresponding to a captured image; a specific information generation unit which generates specific information relating to the image data; a recording unit which records the image data and the specific information on a removable recording medium which is removably attachable to the camera device; a reproducing unit which reproduces the image data and the specific information from the removable recording medium; an embedding unit which controllably embeds the reproduced specific information into the reproduced image data using a digital watermarking technique; and a control unit which controls the embedding unit to embed the reproduced specific information into the reproduced image data if a first process is selected by a user, and controls the embedding unit not to embed the reproduced specific information into the reproduced image data if a second process is selected by the user.

Abstract: When a shutter button of a digital camera is pressed, a picture signal fetched from a CCD is converted to a digital signal and compressed and written into a nonvolatile memory means like a flash memory card as a picture file which can be identified uniquely. A user can produce a control file for controlling print processing, display processing, transmission processing and the like for the picture file by selecting a particular picture file using an operation key. If multi-screen print is carried out on a printer unit, a vertical direction of each picture is unified. Further, upon reprint operation for multiple order persons, sorting work after the print is facilitated by providing with an identification means for identifying each order person.

Abstract: Together with an image forming apparatus, a method and a control program which can be applied to the image forming apparatus are disclosed in an embodiment of the invention. The image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus for printing data whose printing has been requested from a client apparatus via a network. The image forming apparatus has: identifying means for identifying a text portion and an attached file with respect to E-mail transmitted from the client apparatus, recognizing means for recognizing control data which can be disclosed in the text portion of the E-mail and control data which can be enclosed in the attached file identified by the identifying means, and control means for controlling a printing process in accordance with a recognition result of the recognizing means showing whether at least either the text portion or the attached file identified by the identifying means includes the control data or not.

Abstract: When electronic mail indicating termination of firmware rewriting has arrived from an image formation apparatus that has received divided firmware, the transmitter side of the firmware determines whether rewriting has ended properly or not from the mail. When rewriting has ended properly, electronic mail with the next divided firmware attached is transmitted based on the division number, divisor value, machine type and module indicated in a Subject field. When rewriting has not ended properly, the same firmware indicated in the Subject field is transmitted again. Accordingly, divided firmware can be transmitted appropriately. Thus, firmware of a large size can be transmitted appropriately even in the case where the size set at the mail server is restricted.

Abstract: A printing system configured by connecting, over a network, a printing request instruction terminal for making a printing request including reference information that indicates a storage location of the paper original data, a server which accepts the printing request from the printing request instruction terminal, designates a printer as a printing destination according to the printing request and makes a printing instruction to that printer, and multiple printers which execute printing according to the printing instruction from the server, wherein the server comprises: an examination unit which, when receives the printing request from the printing request instruction terminal, examines whether or not the printer designated as the printing destination has a pull-printing function to execute printing by obtaining the paper original data according to the reference information; and a print control unit which obtains the paper original data according to the reference information when it is found as a result of th

Abstract: Systems and procedures are described for an imaging device to download media parameters from a remote server computer that is connected to the imaging device across a network. Specifically, the imaging device detects a media ID from print media. Responsive to detecting the media ID, the imaging device downloads a set of media parameters that correspond to the Media ID from the server computer. The imaging device uses these downloaded media parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A switching power supply, with or without a secondary side controller, is connectable to a power-supply-using device (such as a printer without a power supply) receiving a voltage from the power-supply's secondary side. The device has a device controller (such as a printer controller) which controls the device, wherein the power supply is adapted to receive a power-supply control signal or power-supply control data from the device controller. A method for operating the switching power supply includes using the power-supply control signal or the power-supply control data to generate an input control signal for the power supply's primary side controller. A device-and-power-supply assembly (such as a printer) includes a switching power supply lacking a secondary side controller and includes a power-supply-using device having a device controller (such as a printer controller) wherein the power supply is adapted to receive a power-supply control signal from the device controller.

Abstract: After an image compressed by a compressing portion is stored in a page memory, it is decoded by a decoding portion. A sub-scanning enlargement portion carries out sub-scanning direction enlargement processing upon the image decoded by the decoding portion and a printer prints out the enlarged image. At this time, the printer generates a printer synchronous signal each time when it scans an image formation object surface. A control portion provides the page memory, the decoding portion and the magnification changing portion with control signals so as to synchronize reading out of the image from the page memory, the decoding of the decoding portion and enlargement processing of the sub-scanning enlargement portion.

Abstract: A system CPU sets a storage area in a page memory when a copying operation has been started. Where a clear/stop key, etc. is depressed to suspend the copying operation, the system CPU checks whether there is data in the page memory. If there is data in the page memory, the system CPU displays a selection screen on a message display section for selection as to whether the data in the page memory should be retained or released. Where “HOLD” is determined, the system CPU performs re-scanning and stores data in the page memory at the time the setting has been changed and the copying operation has been resumed. On the other hand, where “RELEASE” is determined, the system CPU releases the data in the page memory and performs re-scanning and stores data in the page memory at the time the setting has been changed and the copying operation has been resumed. Finally, the printing of the data in the page memory is resumed by a printer.

Abstract: A method and system for nesting finishing operations specifies finishing operations for a printfile according to a first architecture, establishes a first communications link from a data source to a print server and carries printer control data for the finishing operations according to the first architecture, matches the printer control data with a predetermined set of rules which define an order in which the finishing operations are performed, establishes a second communications link from the print server to at least one print controller, communicates the finishing operations and the predetermined set of rules to the at least one print controller according to a second architecture, establishes a third communications link from the at least one print controller to at least one post-processing device, communicates the finishing operations to the at least one post-processing device, and performs the finishing operations according to the predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: One or more parameters such as time is reported to a center using a form. The center then automatically extracts data from the form and converts it for storage and subsequent processing or review. The form is preferably a physical form, which the sender fills in and then faxes to the center. Image capture, registration, and feature recognition routines are included to enable the center to extract the reported data with no need for data reentry or human intervention. The invention is particularly suitable for employees who need to submit time sheets, expense reports, and the like to an employer, or for automatic analysis of submitted inventory reports, product orders, etc.

Abstract: There are realized a printing medium, a printing-medium unit, a printing system, a consumption-amount managing server, a consumption-amount managing system, and a consumption-amount managing method, which enable effective use of media-supplier information which relates to a media supplier that supplied the printing medium and which is recorded on a memory. A printing medium comprises a memory for recording information to be read into a printing system, and media-supplier information relating to a media supplier that supplied the printing medium is recorded on the memory.

Abstract: There is provided a printing system which allows efficient printing at a low cost. In a printing system, unprocessed order information is arranged so as to be sequentially processed from order information which can be processed by a printer without changing paper during an unattended operation, and order information which can be processed by paper set in the printer is preferentially printed. As a result, unprocessed image information is processed in an unmanned state at the maximum. Further, before switched to an unattended operation, a paper size in which the greatest number of prints are to be prepared is selected and the selected result is notified to an operator to instruct him or her to set the paper indicated by the result in the printer, thereby allowing order information to be processed by an unattended operation at the maximum.

Abstract: A printing system that comprises a host computer 50 and a printer 10 in combination. As the printer 10, is used one that can process a first class print request including a control program and print data and a second class print request including only print data, and, when an ID output request is received, sends a control program ID as identification information of a control program stored inside the printer 10 at that point of time. Printer control software 20a is installed on the host computer 50 to put the computer 50 in a state that, when a print request is to be outputted to the printer 10, the computer 50 verifies whether a required control program is stored within the printer 10, and the computer 50 sends a second class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is verified, and sends a first class print request to the printer 10, when storing of the control program is not verified.

Abstract: In a network comprising printers and print servers which retain queues of print jobs, a user is able to survey and view selected portions of the network, either by enumerating printers to be queried directly, or by enumerating servers. By providing substantially simultaneous “views” of printers and queues in servers, problems within a large network can be readily isolated.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which generates print data includes a range setting module which sets the print range of each printer in order to distribute a print job to a plurality of printers and perform print processing, a recognition module which recognizes generation of an error in processing of each print range together with an error generation page within the print range when printing is performed in accordance with the set print range, a determination module which determines a re-print start page within the print range in accordance with the print attribute and error generation page of the print job within the print range that is interrupted by generation of the error, and a data transfer module which transfers print data of a re-print range specified by the determined re-print start page to a substitute printer which performs re-printing of the interrupted print range, and causes the substitute printer to execute re-printing.

Abstract: A technique for distributed printing that ensures favorable operability within a sufficiently short time. The procedure first generates intermediate print data and executes the parallel rendering process by time sharing to sequentially convert page data on the first page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers. Transmission of final print data converted for the first printer is carried out in parallel with the rendering process for the second printer. In a similar manner, transmission of converted final print data to the second printer and third printers is carried out in parallel with the rendering process for the next printer. The parallel rendering process sequentially converts page data on the second page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers. Subsequently, the parallel rendering process sequentially converts page data on the third page of the intermediate print data into data adequate for the printers.

Abstract: A printing device has multiple finishing functions and multiple e-mail accounts on a mail server in a network. Correspondence between finishing functions set by a user and e-mail accounts are stored in a printing device. An e-mail sent to each e-mail account undergoes a finishing function based on the stored correspondence in order to be printed.

Abstract: A technique for carrying out distributed printing from a general-purpose application program. An application program generates print data and issues a print command. A virtual printer driver receives the print command and returns performance information with regard to performances of a virtual printer to the application program. The application program converts print data into data suitable for the virtual printer based on the performance information and transmits the converted print data to the virtual printer driver. The virtual printer driver stores the input print data in the form of an intermediate print file into an HDD. A distributed printing utility reads the intermediate print file, allocates intermediate print data in the intermediate print file to respective printers according to a distributed form set in a dialog box, and outputs the print data in a distributive manner to real printer drivers provided for the respective printers based on the allocation.