Abstract: Using a picture image printing system, both types of pictures recorded by a camera using a film and a digital camera are effectively printed. The printing system comprises a film scanner for inputting a picture recorded on a film, and a card reader for inputting a picture recorded by a digital camera. By switching between the scanner and card reader upon necessity, digital image data is obtained. An image processing apparatus performs pixel number conversion on the digital image data by keeping an aspect ratio of the image constant, so that the picture image data is printed in a width almost the same as a width of rolled paper. The digital image data whose pixel number has been converted are subsequently printed on the rolled paper by a printer.

Abstract: Computer-based, anti-clipping, pre-printing, color-image correction via virtual color-parameter controllers that are provided within the graphic user interface of a print driver. Parameters accommodated include Red, Green and Blue offset, Lightness offset, Gamma and Chroma. Chroma modifications are handled preliminarily by a special mathematical matrix. Matrix-processed Chroma values are then co-processed with other parameter modifications within an anti-clipping, hyperbolic-tangent-function (asymptotic-like) algorithm which implements an asymptotic-like approach toward creating final pixel modification values that avoid range-limit color and/or tone-scale clipping. Final pixel values are drawn from three one-dimensional look-up tables, one for each of the three colors.

Abstract: A print order/delivery system and method, and a printing system, wherein a previously assigned unique identification data is stored on a user side of the system, and the user is registered such that the user is associated with the identification data. Pictorial data is transmitted to a print-order receiving side along with the identification data and order data, and then, on the print-order receiving side, a picture based on the supplied pictorial data is printed on the basis of the order data. The user is recognized from a group of registered users on the basis of the supplied identification data.

Abstract: Even if print data is print-outputted from which printing apparatus upon distribution print, a print result in which there is no missing part of an image can be obtained. As a print area of a color MFP 104 and a monochromatic MFP 105 upon distribution print, an AND area 1403 of a print area 1401 and a print area 1402 (area 1403 in which both of the print areas 1401 and 1402 overlap on an output original) is set.

Abstract: A circuit which uses a compressor to divide each separation image into 8-line strips, and to independently compress each strip, a single decompressor to decompress two or more color image separations, strip by strip, by interleaving them, and to apply them to two or more print heads, one for each color separation. DMA from a main memory is used to apply both separations to the decompressor, and the decompressor output is demultiplexed into two print heads, one for each separation. This is done to drive each color separation simultaneously in a single-pass color printer. Multiplexing logic controls the DMA into the decompressor and the output of the decompressor into separate buffers for each color separation. Additional logic uses the page and line sync from each print head to synchronize the accessing of the correct image raster from buffers at the output of the decompressor to the associated print head.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for improved operation and troubleshooting of a printing device. A printing device includes a master module wherein printing device operation data can be stored in non-volatile memory. The master module is provided with non-volatile memory or an uninterruptible power source so that the master module memory may be retained and dumped upon request. The memory dump may transmit the memory contents to a local external device through a port, such as an infrared port or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, or the memory contents may be transmitted to a remote location. The dumped data may then be analyzed to quickly identify a problem component in the printing device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program provides for making an image area correction in a printing system. Print data is provided in a logical page order corresponding to at least one signature for printing. At least one parameter of a recording medium on which the print data are printed is determined, this parameter being relevant to the position of the printing format on the recording medium, which is folded according to the signature. The position of the pages is then corrected according to this parameter prior to printing, in such a way that the print formats of successive pages of the finished signature are positioned accurately.

Abstract: A computing system including a computer and a printer. The computer is operable to transmit a print job to the printer that cases the printer to retain the job. The computer is further operable to record a record of the job. The record includes an identifier of the job and an identifier of the printer. The user can later retrieve and display the job ID and request that the job be printed. The computer responds by causing the printer to print the job.

Abstract: A method of preventing image degradation due to nonejecting nozzles of a recording head is provided for an inkjet recording apparatus for recording images by ejecting ink from plural nozzles disposed in the recording head. The method according to the present invention includes the steps of measuring and recording a pattern for checking an ejection state of the head, determining a nonejecting nozzle from the pattern, obtaining density distribution for each nozzle, and determining a complementary table for every nozzle from the density distribution in the nonejecting nozzle portion for performing different-color complementing.

Abstract: A photographic processing system comprises: a printing unit 3 for forming photographic prints based on image data read out from a negative film; a CD-R writing device 2 for writing the image data in a CD-R; a sorter 14 having numerous trays 14a for collecting the photographic prints and the CD-R in an order unit; a lateral conveyor 13 for transporting the photographic prints formed by the printing unit 3 to the sorter 14; a CD-R transporting unit 20 for transporting the CD-R having the image data written therein to the sorter 14; and a control unit 40 for controlling the printing unit, the CD-R writing device and the sorter 14 in such a manner as to collect the photographic prints and the CD-R of the same order in a specific receiver among the numerous trays.

Abstract: When continuous printing in which color print and monochromatic print are mixedly present is to be effected, the distance between recording sheets is greatly widened to avoid problems when changeover takes place from monochromatic print to color print and therefore, the printing capability (the number of prints per unit time) is reduced. When in an image processing apparatus for forming a color or monochromatic image on a recording sheet conveyed, by yellow, magenta, cyan and black image forming means, a plurality of recording mediums are continuously conveyed and a monochromatic image is to be formed on a preceding recording medium and a color image is to be formed on a succeeding recording medium, a timing signal A corresponding to the succeeding recording medium is outputted earlier than a timing signal B indicative of the start of image formation corresponding to the preceding recording medium.

Abstract: Input and output units using different signal processing systems cannot be connected to a single image input apparatus. On the basis of the signal format of image data acquired by the input unit and the signal format of image data that can be processed by the output unit, the signal format of image data to be supplied from the input unit to the output unit is controlled.

Abstract: When a group print job is to be processed, a print application issues a grouping start instruction to a print system client first. The respective print jobs are then transmitted to a spooler. The print system client extracts the print jobs and sends them to a printer in accordance with scheduling by a print system server. In this case, if a transmission retry, transmission error, error after transmission, or the like occurs in a member print job belonging to the group job, the corresponding status is set as the status of the group job. The subsequent processing is performed as if the error had occurred in the overall group job.

Abstract: An image sorting system storing a plurality of image data, comprising a management apparatus for managing the plurality of image data using a management folder, and an image selecting device for selecting from a print out one of the plurality of image data by detecting an identifier which corresponds to a printed image of the one of the plurality of image data on the print out, wherein the management apparatus manages the plurality of image data by sending to the management folder the one of the plurality of image data selected by the image selecting device.

Abstract: A mechanism for performing tab paper printing and test printing by simple operation is provided. A printer performs a print process with an image formation position unshifted in the test printing and a print process with the image formation position shifted in the tab paper printing. In case of performing the tab paper printing after the test printing, the printing is performed by using print data already held in the printer or a host computer. It structured to enable to output to a plain paper a print result in which a decoration is added only to a tab position correspondence portion, enable to change its decoration method, and enable easy discrimination of the position. By the above structure, a user can easily correct the position of the content intended to be printed on a tab, and costs necessary for the tab paper used in the test can be reduced.

Abstract: A CPU generates a mask pattern by generating patterns corresponding to a predetermined number of times in the sub-scanning direction in accordance with the number of printing elements of a printhead which corresponds to the amount by which scanning is performed once in the sub-scanning direction, and repeating this operation by the number of times corresponding to a predetermined number of columns. The generated mask pattern is stored in an RAM. An image is then printed by using image data and the mask pattern stored in the RAM for each printing timing signal in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An operating system alternate arrangement for a printer driver/spooler/print processor is disclosed. Referring to one embodiment, although using a PPD-compatible printer driver is often desirable, such a driver includes no mechanism for implementing a printer feature that cannot be specified in a PPD. The disclosed alternate arrangement uses the PPD for those printer options and features that can be specified by PPD. The remaining options and features are classified as “custom actions” that are processed in a custom print processor that is bound to the spooler in place of the operating system's default print processor. Preferably, however, the custom print processor does not implement any traditional print processor functionality. Instead, after performing any custom actions, the custom print processor subroutines call the OS default print processor subroutines to perform traditional print processing.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention increases a variation in status used for management of print jobs, thereby enhancing utility of a printer. In a printing system constructed via a network LAN, a printer PRT includes a job management apparatus that manages statuses of print jobs in conformity with International Standard ISO/IEC10175-1. The job management apparatus has a create control module 6 in addition to diverse functional blocks for processing the print jobs based on the International Standard. When the user gives an instruction ‘create’ to a print job in a ‘held’ status, the create control module 6 creates a new daughter job from the print job in the ‘held’ status as a mother job and executes printing of either the mother job or the daughter job, while keeping at least one print job in the ‘held’ status. This arrangement enables a registered document to be reprinted iteratively at any arbitrary time.

Abstract: A multi-stage or process operation, such as the printing of a document from a data file in the form of a word processing document may be performed either by passing the document directly along a relatively fast network link to a printer 300, or by passing the document along a relatively slow link to a printer 200, where the document is ripped, and then passing the ripped data along a further relatively fast link to printer 300. To determine the optimum course of action in view of a policy demanding speed of printing the probable speed of each course of action is determined, and the course of action most likely to yield a result in conformity with the policy is selected.

Abstract: A digital image receiving apparatus includes a media drive (11) for reading image information from a storage medium (M1), an image information processing unit (22) for processing the image information to display a plurality of images in the image information read by the media drive, in thumbnail image form on a display (12), and an order information processing unit (24) for creating order information including which images to be printed from a printing order given by a customer for each image displayed on the display (12). The image information processing unit (22) includes an image data size acquisition unit (22a) for acquiring image data sizes of image data included in the image information and serving as printing sources. Information on the image data sizes acquired is displayed on the display (12) as associated with thumbnail images of corresponding image information.