Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus which can prevent a reading unit from unexpectedly being opened even when an operation of a reducing unit such as a damper for reducing an opening/closing force of the reading unit is added to an interlocking motion caused by a force adapted to open a pressure plate portion is provided. The apparatus has: a recording unit which records images onto a recording medium; and a reading unit which is openably and closably arranged for the recording unit and has an original plate on which an original document is put and a pressure plate portion which presses the original onto the original plate. A restricting unit which can restrict the reading unit to the closed state is provided. In the closed state of the pressure plate portion, the restricting unit is made inoperative. In the open state of the pressure plate portion, the restricting unit is made operative.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for steganographically encoding a file which is in a page description language (PDL) such as PostScript. Aspects of the present invention can be used to: i) encode a PDL file and generate an encoded PDL file; and ii) provide an “interpreter” which generates raster images from a PDL file. Portions of the raster images can be steganographically encoded. Encoded raster images can be printed or the raster images can be combined into a new PDL file.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and data processing system for providing a hardware controlled one-time write for fiscal printers. A signal from a fiscal printer is received at a memory controller in an electronic journal or fiscal memory card. The signal comprises transaction data and an address in a memory space in the electronic journal or fiscal memory card. The memory controller checks a marker bit corresponding to the address to determine if the marker bit is in a written state. Responsive to a determination that the marker bit is not in a written state, the memory controller sets the marker bit to the written state. The memory controller then writes the transaction data to the address in the memory space.

Abstract: When an image processing program runs on a PC to produce a layout image in which plural selected images are inserted separately into image display frames, a CPU functions as a browser controller, a face image counter, an average number calculator, a pattern selector, a table, and an image layout section. The face image counter counts face images in each selected image. The average number calculator calculates an average number of the face images in a single selected image. Plural layout patterns of the image display frames are established in the table, which also defines the number of the image display frames and a threshold number of the face images for each layout pattern. Comparing the average number with the threshold number, the pattern selector selects the layout pattern. The image layout section inserts the selected images into the image display frames in the selected layout pattern.

Abstract: A photo printing system includes a display to display thereon an order screen containing at least one of images corresponding to image data files read out from a recording medium by a reading unit; and an inputting unit to be used for inputting order information containing the number of prints for the image being displayed on the display. A photo print for at least one of one or more images displayed on the display, to each of which order information to request one or more prints has been given, is made before an order for the one or more images to each of which order information to request one or more prints has been given is determined.

Abstract: A positional error detection method forms, on a belt which is transported in a transport direction, positional error detection marks for detecting a positional error between image positions of first and second colors, detects the positional error detection marks on the belt, and computes the positional error based on the detected positional error detection marks. The positional error detection marks include first and second marks which are inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to the transport direction, and third marks which are perpendicular to the transport direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing data on a print medium is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to format print data to pixel data, the pixel data including pixel values; identify a grid of pixels having a predetermined pattern of pixel values; obtain predetermined pcode grid from memory for the identified grid of pixels; and send the predetermined pcode grid to controller circuit for printing.

Abstract: A method of printing includes, on an ongoing basis, determining a print defect state of a printing system, selecting a screen which has a halftone print parameter which masks a detected print defect, such as one or more of a screen frequency parameter, a screen angle parameter, and a dot growth parameter. The method further includes printing images according to the selected halftone print parameter. Alternatively, where the printing system includes more than one marking engine, the method includes selecting a marking engine according to the determined defect states of each of the marking engines.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a calibration information generating unit that generates calibration information, an identification information generating unit that generates identification information associating the generated calibration information, a receiving unit that receives identification information from an external device, and a print control unit that controls the image forming apparatus to pause a printing process.

Abstract: In an image scanning device, the receiving unit receives a light reflected on a document putted on the surface of the board. The presuming unit presumes a dimension of a horizontal edge of the document based on the reflected light. The determining unit determines, based on the presumed dimension, whether or not the document has one of the plurality of standard sizes. The assuming unit assumes that the document has a virtual size defined by a virtual horizontal edge and a virtual longitudinal edge if the determining unit determines that the document has neither the plurality of standard sizes. The virtual horizontal dimension of the virtual horizontal edge is equal to or larger than the presumed dimension. The scanning unit scans the document over a range corresponding to the virtual size to generate image data.

Abstract: When an instruction to execute an image processing from a user is accepted through an operation panel, a control section temporarily stores image data read from an original or externally received image data in an HDD, and then, outputs processing information related to the image processing based on the accepted execution instruction and the image data stored in the HDD from a communication section to a server apparatus as historical data. When an obtaining completion signal representative of the completion of obtaining of the historical data is obtained from the server apparatus through the communication section, the control section performs the image processing on the image data stored in the HDD according to the accepted execution instruction. Then, the control section erases the image data subjected to the processing from the HDD.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a printing unit which prints an image on paper, an exit path which connects an exit of the printing unit to an exit member which pushes the paper outside of the printing unit, a plurality of guide members which are arranged widthwise of the paper, each guide member having a first guide side which guides the paper coming out of the printing unit along the exit path, wherein each guide member is installed to be movable such that the first guide side rotates when the first guide side contacts the paper which comes out of the printing unit, and returns to its original position after the paper completely passes through the printing unit.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating page exception programming based on user-defined rules is disclosed. A page specific metadata in a PDL file can be evaluated against specific rules to automatically create page exception programming. An embedded PDL device control instructions can also be evaluated and converted into page exception programming thereby producing an integrating representation of all page exception programming for a print job. The PDL page extracted as an exception page can then be displayed on a graphical user interface which provides an operator to confirm pages for editing.

Abstract: A method receives, at a processor of a printing apparatus, a variable information print job. The variable information print job is processed into upper planes of the record-specific objects, upper planes of the reusable objects, lower planes of the record-specific objects, and lower planes of the reusable objects. The method stores such objects within a storage medium of the printing apparatus. The method combines ones of the compressed upper planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed upper planes of the reusable objects corresponding to the record of the variable information print job using the processor to create a single compressed upper plane for the record within an output buffer of the printing apparatus and creates an ordered list (corresponding to the record) of lower plane tiles by assembling the compressed lower planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed lower plane reusable objects.

Abstract: When distributing an encrypted content to a user terminal apparatus via a communication line, a distribution center apparatus requires a medium ID of an information storage medium, and encrypts a decryption key of the encrypted content by using the corresponding medium ID to transmit the encrypted decryption key to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus downloads to store the encrypted content, receives the encrypted key to decrypt it in the use of the medium ID of the storage medium and to decrypt the encrypted content by using the decryption key. In such a system, the center apparatus provides print information corresponding to view conditions of a distributed content to the terminal apparatus in response to the request therefrom, and the terminal apparatus makes the print information appropriately printable by means of a printer.

Abstract: A handheld display device for associating a multimedia object with a zone of a printed substrate. The device comprises: a memory storing multimedia objects; an optical sensor for imaging an area of the printed substrate and for generating image data; a processor for determining interaction data using the image data, the interaction data identifying a substrate identity; a transceiver for retrieval of display data corresponding to the printed substrate; and a touch-sensitive screen for displaying display information based on the display data. The device is configured such that a predetermined user interaction with the display information indicates an association of one of the multimedia objects with the zone of the printed substrate. Subsequent interaction with the zone of the printed causes retrieval of the multimedia object.

Abstract: A disclosed network communication apparatus for performing communication via an IP network includes: a packet generation unit generating packets for call connection including facsimile communication capability and voice capability; and a communication control unit requesting a target network communication apparatus for connection using the packets for call connection upon facsimile transmission and establishing a facsimile communication channel and a voice channel to perform the facsimile transmission. Upon facsimile transmission, the communication control unit requests the target apparatus for connection using the packets for call connection.

Abstract: An information terminal device having a drawing printing function to print a drawing such as a map or a route map is enabled to print the drawing without any reduction on rolled printing paper having a limited width. The information terminal device includes a printer for printing data, and an angle calculator. On the basis of the drawing data having the data of a drawing containing a bent point and the data of the angle of bend at that bent point, the angle calculator calculates the angle index, at which the rolled paper is folded to correspond to the bent point, and calculates the printing data, which divides the drawing at each bent point and which is taken in the longitudinal direction of the rolled paper, that is, the blank length which discontinues the drawing at the folded portion determined by the angle index. On the basis of the angle index and the blank length, the printer divides the drawing at each bent point and makes the printing data taken in the longitudinal direction of the rolled paper.

Abstract: A method of displaying hyperlinked information using a handheld display device having a touch-sensitive screen and a transceiver for sending and receiving digital information. The method comprises the steps of: imaging an area of a printed substrate and generating image data using an optical sensor, the printed substrate containing a printed hyperlink; determining interaction data using the image data, the interaction data identifying a substrate identity; retrieving display data corresponding to the substrate; displaying display information based on said display data; interacting with the displayed hyperlink via the touch-sensitive display screen; retrieving hyperlinked information corresponding to the hyperlink; and displaying the hyperlinked information on the screen.

Abstract: A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus which includes: an imaging device that captures a surroundings of a vehicle; a temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the imaging device; and an OFF signal output device that outputs a command signal to set a power supply of the imaging device to the OFF state in accordance with the temperature of the imaging device measured by the temperature measuring device.