Abstract: In a method and system for enhancement of an input document data stream which comprises at least one input format file comprising format definitions and an input document data file structured in at least one of ranges and sub-ranges and containing variable data, the data stream is enhanced with finishing commands. In a control file, defining level structures that correspond to at least one of the ranges and sub-ranges of the input document data file. In a control file, associating the finishing commands with levels. Using the control file, the input format file and the input document data file the following are automatically generated by a computer program module. a) an output format file that contains the finishing commands in callable groups, and b) an output document data file containing the variable data and group calls associated by at least one of range-by-range and sub-range-by-sub-range.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device carrying out image processing on one of image data and an image-drawing command inputted from an image processing terminal. The image processing device has: an extracting section that extracts finished dimension information according to the one of the image data and the image-drawing command; and an image-drawing section that draws a finish line on a page layout which corresponds to the one of the image data and the image-drawing command, on the basis of the finished dimension information extracted by the extracting section.

Abstract: When registration of favorite is designated in a group printer driver capable of comprehensively controlling a plurality of member printer drivers, a name input window is presented. When the name of the favorite is input, DEVMODE information is acquired from each member printer driver in the present member printer configuration (e.g., printers A, B, and C). These pieces of DEVMODE information are registered in one-to-one correspondence with printer IDs. If the registered favorite is designated, the registered DEVMODE information is transferred to each registered member printer driver to restore the set state. This provides a mechanism capable of efficient printing setting for a plurality of printer drivers.

Abstract: When multiple print jobs that include banner printing are combined and prescribed manipulation settings are specified, data for banner printing is processed separately of the multiple items of print data and the multiple items of print data are combined into a single item of print data, and newly created data for banner printing and the print data that has been combined is output. As a result, it is possible to avoid problems that arise from the combining of jobs for which banner printing settings and settings for finishing processing or layout processing have been made concurrently, and a user can be provided with the optimum printout by adapting processing in accordance with circumstances.

Abstract: When preparing print data by a personal computer, identification data corresponding to the print data is also prepared. The print data is transmitted via a network to a printer, and the identification data is transmitted to a portable phone by wireless, and stored in a memory in the portable phone. When a user approaches the printer carrying the portable phone, the identification data is transmitted to the printer by wireless. The printer carries out image output processing based on the print data corresponding to the received identification data. Thus, in a control system for an electronic device such as an image output device, operation control can be conducted by each print job, and by such operation control, the whole system including an electronic device and data preparation means such as a personal computer can be controlled more efficiently.

Abstract: A scaling system and method for scaling a bitonal image that has print density control. A system for scaling a bitonal image is provide that includes: a polarity detection system for detecting a polarity of the bitonal image; a pixel reduction system that generates a scaled image by reducing pixel pairs down to single scaled pixels by selectively applying either a normal or reverse set of pixel reduction rules, wherein an applied set of pixel reduction rules is determined based on a detected polarity; and a line density control system that allows the scaled image to be made lighter or darker by changing the applied set of pixel reduction rules.

Abstract: The printing data processing system searches for reference indication (i.e., link sources) in the received ML source data, and adds the page information for the linked objects to the ML source data. The page number on which the linked object is printed is printed after the printing of each link source term included when a ML source file, such as a home page. Consequently, when a home page is printed, for example, the user can easily arrive at the linked object from the link source in the printed document while the home page layout on the personal computer is kept intact.

Abstract: An image-forming system includes an image-forming apparatus, and a terminal device capable of communicating with the image-forming apparatus. The terminal device comprises a signal-transmitting unit. The image-forming apparatus comprises an image-forming unit; a signal-receiving unit; a first storage unit for storing a starting condition of a preparing action for image formation in the image-forming unit; a first determining unit for determining whether the starting condition is satisfied at the time the signal-receiving unit receives the signal from the terminal device; and an instruction unit for providing an instruction to start the preparing action in the image-forming unit when the first determining unit determines that the starting condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses print documents containing embedded interactive code (EIC) information by the use of custom postscript commands that are printer independent, with little overhead when printing, smaller print file size, and faster print times. In order to determine the postscript commands, the EIC array may be represented as a bit for every point, as EIC symbols in which each kind of EIC symbol is a glyph of a font, or as graphics procedures. The postscript approach may be selected based on memory and printing time requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing secure value-added network services in a network using one or more operating systems. The system runs on a distribution agent Web server accessible from one or more types of network Operating Systems (“OS”) via a Secure Socket Layer (“SSL”) channel. The system includes one or more subsystems, including a receiving system that receives one or more document service requests over a secure communications medium, an authentication system that authenticates each received document service request, a processing system that processes the one or more authenticated document service requests, and a request fulfillment system that fulfills each processed document service request.

Abstract: An imaging device with an improved controller is disclosed wherein the controller eliminates duplicated circuitry and provides multiuser circuitry that efficiently replaces multiple dedicated circuit blocks. In one aspect, duplicated same-function circuit blocks are replaced with a switch controlled by an alignment control signal to operate as a multiplexer or demultiplexer. In another aspect, multiple different-function circuit blocks which generally have no temporal overlap of their active operation are replaced with a programmable logic device that is reconfigured dynamically to perform some subset of the different functions on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: A system and method allowing pre-printed forms to print onto plain paper and also for converting a pre-printed form type system into a plain paper system. The pre-printed form is recreated as an electronic template file in PCL (printer control language) including the contents of the pre-printed form (e.g., the pre-printed text, lines, boxes, logos, etc.), combined with a data file from an application and printed to a plain paper printer. Alternatively, the system may migrate the combined file to a database or web server to allow for easy access and searching by multiple-users at remote locations.

Abstract: A paper feeder employs a retard roll mounted on a shaft that is controlled by a magneto rheological variable clutch. Current is adjusted to the magneto rheological variable clutch to produce a variable drag torque (from near zero to fully locked) on the retard roll. The current is adjusted based on various inputs, some of which include media type, temperature, humidity, media size, and transport speed. Variable drag on the retard roll results in a reduction in induced skew of sheet passing through a nip formed between the retard roll and a separation roll, as well as, less and more consistent wear of the retard roll.

Abstract: When there is an object of a color plate which is different than a process color, it is confirmed whether or not Color (n), which corresponds to that color name Spot (n), is a spot color. If Color (n) is a spot color, CMYK value conversion is carried out from a LUT of that spot color, and CMYK values are composed in a region for output. If Color (n) is a process color, CMYK values thereof are stored in a region for CMYK color correction. After color correction is carried out on the CMYK values of the region for CMYK color correction, they are composed with CMYK values of the region for CMYK output. Color information when a color plate different than a process color is included, is generated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: a first calculation section that calculates a plurality of spectral reflectances at a plurality of wavelengths based on intensities of light irradiating an object and reflected from the object, the light having a certain spectral energy distribution; a second calculation section that calculates color descriptor values of the object based on the spectral reflectances calculated by the first calculation section; a third calculation section that calculates a set of factors when the color descriptor values are expressed using a linear combination of a predetermined plurality of eigenvectors, factors associated with the respective eigenvectors, and either spectral energy of a reference light or theoretical spectral energy of a virtual light; and an output section that outputs the factors calculated by the third calculation section.

Abstract: To provide an image processing technique compatible with both a CCD and a CIS, which controls storage of image data read by each device in a memory and the read of the stored data for each rectangular area to obtain a high memory efficiency, an image processing apparatus includes an input section which executes input processing of image data read by an image reading device in accordance with the data output format of the device, an output data control section which distributes the image data that has undergone the input processing by the input section in accordance with the output format of the image reading device, an address generation section which generates address information corresponding to the output format to store the distributed image data in a memory, and a memory control section which DMA-transfers the distributed image data to the memory and stores the image data on the basis of the generated address information.

Abstract: Desired application data can be printed in a desired printing condition even if a computer being used does not have appropriate application software or a printer driver installed therein. Each of proxy printing transmission units sends proxy printing request information comprising the application data to be printed and printing setting information as the printing condition to a network. Each of proxy printing judgment and processing units receives the proxy printing request information from the network, and compares the proxy printing request information with proxy printing enabling information comprising the type of application software and printing enabling setting information in a printer driver installed in a corresponding one of computers. If the proxy printing enabling information matches the proxy printing request information, the application data are sent to the computer having the match and converted into PDL data that are printed from a corresponding printer.

Abstract: A color characterization profile format and data structure are provided for allowing a color management solution to convert colors into or out of a color space. The color characterization profile format contains a color management measurement data portion and a container that is configured to provide digital rights management capabilities over the color characterization profile format. The container can include linked and embedded objects and extensible markup language. Further, the container can be an advanced systems format container. The container can be configured to perform different functions, including enabling private data extensions, operating interface description language, storing a rendering intent separate from the color management measurement data portion, the ability to be edited by a text editor application, operability across a plurality of operating platforms, and preventing a user from tampering with the color characterization profile format.

Abstract: An image printing/reading apparatus in which a reference white board for prescanning can be prevented from being soiled with ink, and the influence of stray light from a paper discharge port can be reduced. A commonality of a print sheet path for conveyance of print sheet and a document path for conveyance of document is at least partially realized as a common path. A reading unit is provided with a reference white board for shading correction used upon execution of prescanning. Upon execution of document reading, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a document reading position. On the other hand, upon execution of prescanning, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a retreat position where the influence of ambient light is reduced. Further, upon printing, the reading unit and the reference white board are also moved to the retreat position for preventing the reference white board from being soiled with ink.

Abstract: An image forming device for printing a page which incorporates content data acquired from a reference destination, capable of starting printing earlier. A display analyzing section (33) analyzes a printing document and lays out a document element for tentative page dividing. In the laying out, for a document element whose content data needs to be acquired from a reference destination, a tentative size is used and, for a document element having content data of a known rendering size, the rendering size is used. A document manager (45) monitors a state of acquisition of the content data and instructs a rendering section (34), upon detection of completion of acquisition of content data to be laid out on a first page, to render the image of the page.