Abstract: A method, system and software program for automatically organizing digital images obtained from a plurality of hardcopy media. A plurality of hardcopy media are scanned so as to obtain both the image side and non-image side the of hardcopy media including capturing any watermark present on non-image side. The watermark on the non-mage side is used for automatically organizing digital images.

Abstract: Scanning devices and method of use that accommodate a longer imaging distance while minimizing the size of the device. The scanning device may include an imaging unit having a sensor and optics. The scanning device may further include a target bed for placement of the targeted documents. An imaging distance extends between the imaging unit and the target bed. In one embodiment, the housing may be collapsed after the scanning procedure to reduce the overall device size. Reflective members may also be positioned within the interior of the device to lengthen the imaging distance. Still further embodiments may include a movable imaging unit.

Abstract: A photographic image region extracting apparatus includes: a scanner portion that emits a light to a photographic sheet on which a photographic image is fixed to read a light reflected from the photographic sheet, and outputs image data including the photographic sheet; a photographic sheet extracting portion that extracts a region of the photographic sheet based on the image data output from the scanner; a margin deciding portion that decides presence of a margin around the photographic image based on image data of the photographic sheet region extracted by the photographic sheet extracting portion; and a photographic image extracting portion that specifies a region the photographic image based on a result of the decision of the margin deciding portion and outputs the specified region of the photographic image.

Abstract: The image processing method converts an input image having multiple tones into an image having fewer tones than the input image, for image recording by a recording head including a plurality of recording elements arranged in a prescribed direction. The pixel values of pixels of the input image are quantized in a processing direction which is set to a direction substantially parallel to a relative conveyance direction of a recording medium with respect to the recording elements when recording onto the recording medium is performed by means of the recording elements. The pixel value for a pixel under processing is quantized according to the result of a comparison between the pixel value for the pixel under processing and a threshold value for the pixel under processing. An error with respect to the pixel under processing caused by quantizing the pixel value for the pixel under processing is diffused into an unprocessed pixel in a periphery of the pixel under processing.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus has an input unit to input settings which are used for a print process, a recognizing unit to execute a printer driver and recognize a conflict of the settings inputted to the input unit, and a notifying unit to notify an application of a reason of occurrence of the conflict recognized by the recognizing unit.

Abstract: A format conversion circuit converts RGB data to YCbCr data. A one-dimensional compression circuit performs one-dimensional compression process on the YCbCr data to generate one-dimension compression image data and provides the one-dimension compression image data to a base band LSI. The one-dimensional compression circuit includes a memory area that is relatively small but sufficient for holding several bytes of data subject to the compression process.

Abstract: A method in a data processing device for processing a print request from an application using a print driver or a plug-in module for extending the printer driver is disclosed. The method includes a discrimination step of discriminating a conflict between a setting inputted to the plug-in module and a setting inputted to at least one of the plug-in module or the printer driver and a notification step of notifying the application of response information relating to the reason for the conflict.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disclosed. The image reading apparatus provides plural sensors and a correction unit that corrects displacement of image data caused by intervals among the plural sensors and includes a first draft reading mode whose scanning direction by the sensors is the same as at the time of shading correction and a second draft reading mode whose scanning direction by the sensors is different from at the time of shading correction. The correction unit includes plural paths in which a different number of delay units are disposed in each path and changing over units that change over a connection between the sensors and the paths. The changing over units are changed over between at the time of reading image data and the shading correction in the first draft reading mode and at the time of reading image data in the second draft reading mode.

Abstract: A printing management system includes a plurality of printing apparatus and a client terminal that is connected to the plurality of printing apparatus via a communication line. The client terminal includes an information output unit that outputs print information to a portable storage medium, the print information including print subject location information for identifying a location of at least one print subject to be printed. Each of the plurality of printing apparatus includes an information acquiring unit that acquires the print information from the storage medium, a print subject receiving unit that receives the print subject from the location that is identified by the print subject location information of the acquired print information, and a print executing unit that prints the received print subject.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit to input an image, a connection unit to perform connection to an external network, an output unit to output a request for processing the input image to a unit connected thereto through the external network, and a control unit to perform connection to an authentication unit connected to the external network using the connection unit and requesting the authentication unit for an authentication process, when the output unit outputs the request for the processing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which enables easy management of proofs in a printing process. An image forming apparatus 299 is provided with a reader unit 50, a transfer charger 220, color sensors 274-1 to 274-4, a printer controlling unit 21. The reader unit 50 inputs image data for forming an image on a sheet having an RFID tag 701. The transfer charger 220 generates a transfer image for forming the image on the sheet based on the inputted image data. The color sensors 274-1 to 274-4 measure image formation conditions of the transfer image. The printer controlling unit 21 writes the measured image formation conditions into the RFID tag 701.

Abstract: A color engine supports extensibility by allowing plug-ins. The color engine transforms an image file associated with a source device for consumption by a destination device. Within the color engine, a device model operates over a device model profile to generate a gamut boundary shell, which describes the range of colors a device is capable of producing. A color appearance model operates over a color appearance model profile to compensate for external viewing conditions. A gamut map model accepts as input gamut boundary shells describing the source device and the destination device, and operates over a gamut map model profile to generate a transform, which is used to transform the image file for consumption by the destination device. The device model profiles and gamut map model profiles may be extended using XML plug-ins, and the device models and gamut map models may be extended using DLL plug-ins.

Abstract: A scanner device and an image forming apparatus, each having a shading correction unit are disclosed. The shading correction unit is implemented by a lens block, including a fixer and a wall. The fixer fixes a position of the lens block. The wall, connected to the fixer at a connecting point, has an opening. The minimum distance between the circumference line of the opening and the connecting point is larger than a thickness of the wall.

Abstract: Whether or not a density of black is a predetermined value or more is judged, and when it is judged to be the predetermined value or more, a resolution characteristic is changed to an improved resolution characteristic compared to the resolution characteristic used in a case in which a judgment result shows a value under the predetermined value. When the density of black is deeper, the resolution characteristic is improved, and therefore black is prevented from becoming in a so-called void state. Accordingly, the color close to black such as four-color black can be stably and excellently formed. In addition, when the density of black is the value under the predetermined value, the resolution characteristic lower than this value is used, and therefore dots can be stably formed and an excellent gradation property can be achieved.

Abstract: An image input/output system is used to input information for specifying the transmission source of data and a period of time during which the data should be received as search conditions for specifying the data that should be received. On the basis of the input conditions, the reception history of the data received via a network or a public network is read. The reception history is searched to determine whether the data that should be received has already been received. On the basis of the determination result, when the data that should be received has not been received, the fact that the data has not been received is reported.

Abstract: An UI section receives a printing parameter set by a user. A data reading section reads a printing parameter from an original paper. An image reading section reads an image from the original paper. When an IC chip has been attached to the original paper, a parameter selecting section selects a printing parameter thereof, whereas in other cases, the parameter selecting section selects a printing parameter, which is set by the user. An image processing section and a printing control section execute an image processing operation and a printing operation in accordance with the selected printing parameter.

Abstract: When two or more sheets of images, which have been read from two or more sheets of originals are printed on a single sheet of first printing paper, original information related to the originals is stored into an IC chip attached to the first printing paper. Thereafter, when a user desires to reproduce the originals by using this first printing paper, the original information stored in the IC chip is read therefrom. Based on the read original information, the images read from the originals are printed respectively in the same sizes as those of the respective originals.

Abstract: A scanner unit 105 of an MFP 100 performs prescanning and generates white area determination data 301. Next, at the scanning operation, the scanner unit 105 refers to the white area determination data 301 to detect a white stripe. In this area, a motor is driven at high speed.

Abstract: In a printing device storing a plurality of font files, at least a first font file storing glyph data corresponding to a first set of characters, characters of the first set being represented by double-byte words and at least a second font file storing glyph data corresponding to a second set of characters, characters of the second set being represented by single-byte words, a method of managing the printing of characters comprises upon receipt of a double-byte word, determining whether the received double-byte word represents a character that is also in the second set of characters. If not, the double-byte word is used to extract glyph data from the first font file. If so, data of the double-byte word is used to extract glyph data from the second font file.

Abstract: A reading apparatus comprising a plate on which a transparent original is placed, and a guide unit for setting the transparent original at a predetermined position on the original plate. A light source unit is settable at plural positions in contact with the guide unit for illuminating the transparent original which is urged against the original plate by the light source unit. A portion of the light source unit which is contacted with the transparent original is chamfered (R-worked) not to damage the transparent original. Further, a portion of the light source unit which is contacted with the transparent original is designed to urge the transparent original at an out of an image area of the original.