Abstract: A preflight time estimator for a printing workflow is provided. An estimated preflight time is determined by analyzing a plurality of previously measured preflight times. The analysis may include tracking and analyzing at least one preflight attribute of a plurality of print jobs. The preflight time estimator may comprise a computer readable media including computer executable instructions for calculating the estimated preflight time. A printer configured to execute the instructions of the computer readable media is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adapting a sensor aspect ratio to a print aspect ratio in a digital image capture device is disclosed In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for capturing digital images, comprising an image sensor including a plurality of image capture elements, each of the image capture elements configured to capture image data, an input element for communicating print size information to the apparatus, and logic for determining which of the plurality of image capture elements correspond to the print size.

Abstract: A device for defining participants in a control system that controls a printing machine is provided. The control system includes a central computer and a number of participants which interact with the central computer in order to carry out processes. The participants are connected to one another via lines of a bus system. The lines of the bus system and the participants have respective plugs for connecting the lines of the bus system to the participants. The plugs of the lines of the bus system have reserved plug contacts which are provided with one or more galvanic links for defining the respective participants.

Abstract: It is a subject to provide an information processing apparatus which makes it easy to form program parts depending on individual installation of image output apparatuses and which can suppress an increase in code amount of driver software. The apparatus has program modules for processing quantized image information in accordance with characteristics of an image output apparatus by different methods and virtual switches provided in a program. The modules having the unified interface are switched by the virtual switches in accordance with either a mode of using which image output apparatus as a target and a mode of using which function of the image output apparatus when the image is formed. The formed data is handed to the image output apparatus through a spooler prepared for the OS.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically generating a printer model database (PMDB) that is based on a printer driver. The printer model database is dynamically generated by automatically generating device independent print job options, semi-automatically generating device dependent print job options, and automatically generating a printer model database.

Abstract: In an image processor for a character image included in an image data to be processed, character codes are recognized, and character sizes of the characters in the character image are recognized. A font data is selected in a plurality of font data of different sizes stored in a storage device, so as to match with the recognized character codes, the recognized font sizes and a magnification of the image data. The selected font data are outputted. Thus, the character image is reproduced by using the recognized character codes. Alternatively, in a saving mode where image data of N pages are outputted in M sheets of recording medium, wherein N is not equal to M, character codes are recognized in a character image included in N pages of image data to be processed. Then, a font data is selected in a plurality of font data, so as to match with the recognized character codes.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus avoids abnormal control on loads including an optional device and enables only program transfer when transfer of a control program from an external device is not normally proceeding. Through a communication interface, the control program is transferred from the external device to a flash memory via an external controller, while a transfer state thereof is stored in EEPROM. In response to the state of the EEPROM, CPU controls power supply to the external controller and the optional device to avoid abnormal operation of the optional device during transfer of control programs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus receives, from a server connected to a network, a notification that a module operating units composing the apparatus can be added. The apparatus requests distribution of a program including the module to the server. Further, when a function of the module can be realized from information of the module stored in each hierarchy composing the program of the apparatus acquired each predetermined period and information of main and option devices, the server transmits program distributing information including the module. The device stores the module in an area of a predetermined hierarchy on the basis of the program distributing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for describing imaging tasks across a distributed environment of imaging clients, servers and devices, wherein the tasks include complex imaging operations, and interchanging imaging data and operations. The imaging jobs include diverse imaging tasks that can be constructed in a single program unit. The imaging tasks are constructed using a single imaging job language and common interface across all imaging devices, clients and servers, or managers thereof. A manager communicates with the imaging components through the common interface and translates the operations into the communication methods that are compatible with the devices, clients and servers. Composite imaging jobs are selectively dispatched to diverse imaging components through a single imaging spooler subsystem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Variable Data Printing that adds performance requirements to a raster image processor (RIP) memory optimization that employs memory bands within the page composition process. Documents containing both recurring elements as well as non-recurring elements are sorted into element lists depending on their frequency of recurrence and their layering position. The recurring elements are retained in rasterized form, while the non-recurring elements are rasterized as they are used in output memory. One pass assembly in raster image processing of the elements occurs when the recurring elements are blitted into memory and the variable elements are RIPped on the fly.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a feed mechanism configured to advance the printing medium intermittently. The feed mechanism is adjusted so that an average feed error ?ave is in the vicinity of zero with respect to a most slippery printing medium among plural types of printing media designed to be used in the printing device. Alternatively, a printing device comprises a controller to correct a feed amount such that an average feed error ?ave is in the vicinity of zero with respect to at least one specific printing medium among plural types of printing media designed to be used in the printing device.

Abstract: When a certificate is to be printed on a certificate form having a microchip built therein, an applicant for applying for the certificate sends microchip ID to a certificate issuer, and the certificate issuer stores certificate data in association with the microchip ID in an issue management database of the certificate issuer. When the certificate is to be verified, a certificate verifier sends the microchip ID built in the certificate to the certificate issuer, and in response to it, the certificate issuer sends the certificate data, which is registered in the certificate database in association with the microchip ID, to the certificate verifier. Certificate can be printed out by a print terminal at home or the like.

Abstract: To perform control so as to acquire a list of print style information stored in an output device, specify a particular piece of print style information in the acquired list, generate print data associated with the specified piece of print style information, and store the generated print data in the output device or output the generated print data from the output device.

Abstract: A sender device 1 stores, in header information about image information, information indicating that attribute information and image data rearranged in sequence, and produces image information by means of storing attribute information and image data in a predetermined sequence. The thus-produced image information is sent to a receiver device 2 by way of a network line 3. When receipt of image information is initiated, the receiver device 2 refers to the header information, thereby determining presence/absence, in the header information, of information indicating that attribute information and image data are stored in a predetermined sequence. When it has been determined that attribute information and image data are arranged in a predetermined sequence, image data included in the received image information are immediately decompressed, and the thus-decompressed image data are output in the form of a record or display.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: Image plus event information printing system, which comprises an image data inputting means for inputting a datum of original image, an event information database which memorizes the data of current and/or passing events information being sorted with one or more items, wherein one of the items consists of the occurrence time of the event, an event information retrieval means for extracting any event information within a predetermined range being in correlation to the time which is related to the original image, by retrieving from the sorted data in the event information database with using one or more of the items, an image editing means for preparing a datum of an image plus event information, from the datum of original image and the extracted event information, and a printing means for printing the image plus current events information in accordance with the datum prepared by the image editing means.

Abstract: The present invention is a printing method of recording an image by forming ink dots on a print medium in one of a plurality of print modes. The method determines the reduction pattern in response to the selected print mode selected from the plurality of print modes, which represents reduction of the ink amount for forming ink dots on a border area of a specific type image area represented by the dot data.

Abstract: Xerox Docket No. D/A0037Q Document authentication is accomplished by acquiring document image data, generating a set of features of the document, and generating an assist channel that includes information on how to generate the set of features. The set of features and the assist channel are digitally signed and then append to the document. Document verification is accomplished by acquiring document image data and verifying the signature. If the signature is valid, a set of features of the document is generated using information contained in the assist channel appended to the document. The generated set of features is then compared to the set of features appended on the document. If the sets do not match, the document is determined to have been altered sometimes after the assist channel was appended to the document, i.e., the document is not genuine. Otherwise, the document can be considered to be genuine.

Abstract: A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected with one another via a network each have a power management table A and a power management table B. Each image forming apparatus uses the power management table A to cumulate power amounts consumed therein by each user group, transmits cumulating results (the contents of the management table A) to other image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus receives the contents of the power management table A from the other image forming apparatuses, obtains a sum of consumption power amounts of each user group, using the received contents and the contents of its own power management table A, and updates relevant fields in the power management table B. The image forming apparatus prohibits execution of a new job submitted by a group whose consumption power amount is equal to or greater than a maximum power amount.

Abstract: A print control method performs print processing in an optical operation mode that is automatically determined in response to a print request from an application program. The print control method queries a user about evaluation of print speed or the result of printing obtained in the print processing, and obtains a response to the query. When performing print processing in response to a later print request, the operation mode is determined based on the response. The print control method generates print data in intermediate condition which is not dependent on a particular page description language, and performs print processing based on the result of analyzing the print data.