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: In a method for generating an IPDS data stream, different levels are defined with level numbers, whereby in each level a group of print data is combined on which the same operation is implemented. The operations are defined by operation numbers. A linkage exists between the level numbers and the operation numbers such that an operation number can be unambiguously assigned to a level number so that it can be determined using the linkage which level is provided for which operation. It is not necessary to generate and to maintain complex tables in order to be able to administrate the level corresponding to the required specification.

Abstract: JPEG data is efficiently recompressed and transmitted to a remote color facsimile device. Before transmission of recompressed JPEG data, an anticipated transmission time is displayed for enabling the user to easily select the desired compression ratio. To generate recompressed JPEG, a Huffman decoder is provided for decoding encoded data and temporarily generates decoded data. Table generator multiplies the predefined quantization table values by the prescribed value to generate the modified quantization table. Intermediate data generator generates the intermediate data by dividing the encoded data by ratio n, which is derived by dividing predefined quantization table by the modified quantization table. Huffman encoder encodes the intermediate data to create new encoded data. Recompressed JPEG data includes the newly coded data and the modified quantization table.

Abstract: A method for converting an original halftone bitmap image to a color converted halftone bitmap image. A set of asymmetrical morphological filters is provided. The original halftone bitmap image is segmented into blocks and for each block: apply the set of morphological filters to the original halftone bitmap image to produce a set of modified halftone bitmap images; estimate the percent dot area of the original halftone bitmap image and the set of modified halftone bitmap images; a predetermined dot-gain to the percent dot area of the original halftone bitmap image to produce a modified percent dot area; select the modified halftone bitmap image whose percent dot area is closest to the modified percent dot area to produce a block of the color corrected halftone bitmap image; and replace the original halftone bitmap image with the combined blocks of selected modified halftone bitmap image.

Abstract: One embodiment pertains to analyzing a document that is to be printed on a transparency, determining whether the document formatting is optimized for transparency printing, and alerting a user if the document formatting is not optimized for transparency printing. Another embodiment pertains to analyzing a document to determine whether the document is a transparency document, determining whether the scanning resolution is appropriate for scanning a transparency where the document is determined to be a transparency document, and alerting a user if the scanning resolution is not appropriate for scanning a transparency where the document is a transparency document and the scanning resolution is inappropriate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first memory for storing image data, a second memory for storing image forming conditions, an image output unit for outputting the image data stored in the first memory under the image forming conditions stored in the second memory, and command means for generating a command of discarding the image data being output from the image output unit. The apparatus also has a controller. If a command of discarding the image data is generated by the command means, the controller discards the image data stored in the first memory, while it maintains the associated image forming conditions stored in the second memory.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that performs an output processing based on document data including a command to refer to an external resource is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes an output data processing unit that reads document data from a storage device and performs an output data processing, an analysis unit that analyzes the document data, an external resource obtaining unit that performs a processing to obtain an external resource through a network according to an analysis result of the analysis unit, and a print processing setting unit that is capable of making a setting not to output external resources. When the print processing setting unit makes a setting not to output external resources, the output data processing unit analyzes the document data inputted and generates output data without using the external resources.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus having full-color and monochrome print processes and a method therefor, whether a page to be printed is color or monochrome is checked. The presence of an immediately preceding page which is successively printed before a page to be printed that is determined to be monochrome, and the attribute of the immediately preceding page are determined. The presence of a succeeding page which is successively printed after the page to be printed, and the attribute of the succeeding page are determined. The number of pages corresponding to the determination results is set. The print process of the page to be printed is decided on the basis of the presence of succeeding pages corresponding to the number of pages and their attributes.

Abstract: As a method of calibrating colors other than primary colors such as secondary colors, the contents of an ink color-separation table are reconstructed. However, it is difficult to reconstruct the ink color-separation table within the limitation of total ink amount permissible for a print sheet. Accordingly, a color patch corresponding to a signal value of a color to be calibrated is formed in a printer, then the signal value is calibrated based on a measured color value of the formed color patch and a target value corresponding to the signal value of the color to be calibrated, and calibration multidimensional table data is generated based on the measured color value of the formed color patch.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus body. An image forming device included in the apparatus is at least partly implemented by a replaceable part. A counter counts prints output by the apparatus with the replaceable part. A memory and a first nonvolatile memory are built in the apparatus body. A second nonvolatile memory is built in the replaceable part. A controller writes a limit number of prints particular to the replaceable part in the first nonvolatile memory, stores, after image forming operation, a cumulative number of prints counted by the counter in the memory and second nonvolatile memory, and reports the time for replacing the replaceable part when the cumulative number stored in the memory exceeds the limit number of prints stored in the first nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A controller for a four-drum printer eliminates a need for an expensive inter-drum delay memory, which has been conventionally used, to print an RGB image and allows a multifunction machine, printer, and the like to be provided at low cost. An image ring interface reads an image data containing the same tile, which is stored in a tile pattern in a RAM, four times with a delay corresponding to a delay (10 lines of tiles) of image formation between image forming sections, and sequentially transfers the image data to four image output interfaces.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an image data input means for receiving input data, image data processing means for processing the image data and drawing the image data in an image memory unit, printing means for forming an image on a transfer sheet using the image data drawn in the image memory unit, and display means for displaying, either dynamically or successively, which process the image data is undergoing at any given moment, beginning with image data reception and ending with image data printing.

Abstract: Print server load is reduced efficiently by deleting information about print clients from a print server based on precise conditions peculiar to a print system.

Abstract: An all-in-one (AIO) printer is provided, in which its bulk input device (scanner) is employed as a data reader of audio information, and its bulk output device (print engine/printhead) is employed as a data burner (or writer) of audio information. The present invention acts as a sound recording device and a sound playback device that may be incorporated within an AIO printer. If the AIO printer is combined with a host computer that includes a microphone and speakers, then no physical hardware need be added to a standard AIO printer to perform the functions of the present invention of recording and storing audio information.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus detects whether or not an ink ribbon internally mounted in an ribbon cassette amounted to the facsimile apparatus is a standard ink ribbon. When the apparatus detects a non-standard ink ribbon, the apparatus notifies a user by printing a message informing that the presently-mounted ink ribbon is a non-standard one and that printing function with the presently-mounted ink ribbon will be disabled after elapse of an allowable time.

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 system and method for testing scan and fax jobs includes receiving a job request from a user to scan or fax an image, the job request including one or more parameters, providing a test image based on the one or more parameters for the job request, generating a test job based on the identified test image and the one or more parameters for the job request, and processing the test job. Information regarding the result of the execution of the test job is stored. It is then determined if the job request can be executed correctly based on the stored information.

Abstract: A document-to-printer color gamut matching system enables comparison of at least two color maps in a manner that allows selection of the printer that will result in the best print output. Information related to the document to be printed and information describing the color gamut(s) that each available printer is capable of printing is compared. Each color gamut is evaluated to determine suitability for use with the document. The document-to-printer gamut matching system may provide the author of the document with a number of candidate printers best matched to the printing of the document depending on the rendering intent of the author; may select a printer based on a measurement of best fit; or may generate a custom color map to result in a color gamut that is satisfactory.

Abstract: When multiple pages of a document are condensed and printed on a single sheet of printing media, an image data generator condenses the page image data by a prescribed reduction ratio. A sequence information overlayer overlays layout sequence information such as numerals or arrows, or borders or shading of different densities or colors, on the condensed image data. A recording device prints the condensed image data and overlaid sequence information on the single sheet of printing media. The reader of the condensed document recognizes the condensed page sequence from the overlaid sequence information, and can therefore always tell which page to read next. A print sample image of the single sheet preferably includes a sequence line graphically illustrating the page layout sequence.

Abstract: When a user registers a type and a condition of image formation by a terminal, the terminal determines a reservation number specific to contents of the registration, and the determined reservation number is displayed on the display of the terminal. The user watches this display and can know the reservation number. Once the reservation number is determined, registration data containing the determined reservation number and the content of the registration is generated by the terminal. The registration data is sent to the body of the apparatus. The registration data sent to the body is stored in the body. When the user stands in front of the body and inputs the reservation number, respective registration data are searched for corresponding to the reservation number. Further, based on the searched registration data, image reading, image processing, and image printing are controlled.