Abstract: A data communication apparatus is provided with an image reader which reads a document image, a storage which stores image data of the document image read by the image reader and registers one or a plurality of transmitting destinations, a data communication unit having a plurality of communication lines, and a communication control unit which controls a transmission start timing of the image data to the transmitting destinations. The communication control unit controls the data communication unit to start transmitting the image data to a first transmitting destination at a timing when reading of the document image by the image reader starts, when a plurality of transmitting destinations are registered.

Abstract: A video buffer that updates and holds an inputted video signal by a unit of a frame image includes: an image data holding unit having a first image data holding unit that holds the latest frame image, a second image data holding unit that holds a second frame image that goes back n pieces of frames in time from the first frame image and a third image data holding unit that holds the third frame image that goes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frame image; a moving picture display unit that displays the latest frame image held in the first image data holding unit; a print data selection unit that selects a frame image stored in any of the first to third image data holding units as a print object; a print confirmation display unit that displays the selected frame image; a print data generation unit that converts the image data of the displayed image into print data and so forth.

Abstract: A memory module, a printer assembly, and a method for storing a computer code for a printer-controller application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having a non-ROM memory control. The memory module has ROM memory cells and a non-ROM to ROM interface operatively connected to the ROM memory cells. The printer assembly has the above-described ASIC, the above-described memory module, and a transmission cable operatively connected to the non-ROM memory control of the ASIC and the non-ROM to ROM interface of the memory module. The method stores non-final versions of the computer code in a memory module having non-ROM memory cells, which allows the code to be changed during development, and stores the final version of the computer code in the above-described memory module having the ROM memory cells.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration curve is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. Calibration data of one line image of a previous scan are first provided. Reference pixels are selected from the image line. Then a calibration board is scanned and calibration data of the reference pixels are generated. Calibration data of the reference pixels of a previous scan are then selected from the calibration data of one image line of a previous scan. Ratios of the calibration data of the reference pixels and the calibration data of the reference pixels of a previous scan are calculated. Calibration data of all pixels of the image line are finally generated by multiplying the calibration data of the image line of a previous scan and the ratios.

Abstract: A photographic print vending apparatus is provided which comprises a media accepting unit which accepts a recording medium having photographic image information stored thereon. An image information reader reads the image information from the recording medium, and a plurality of printers print images based on image data from a processor connected to the image information reader and an advertisement information storage unit. When an advertisement printing mode is set, the processor reads the advertisement information from the advertisement information storage unit, synthesizes the read advertisement information and the image information read by the image information reader, and supplies the synthesized information to the printers as image data.

Abstract: The colors used for forming an image are limited in advance to a predetermined number of color patterns called representative colors; on the host side the image data received is divided into blocks, for each of which a representative color is determined in a representative color code conversion unit; the representative colors and their associated representative color codes are transmitted to the printer side; and on the printer side the representative color codes are converted into dot patterns in a pattern conversion unit for each pass before being output. The above procedure allows a series of processing—resolution conversion, masking/UCR processing, output ? correction and binarization processing—to be realized with a simple configuration.

Abstract: When a data communication apparatus as a sender gateway receives instruction information for instructing a communication system via ITU recommendation T.38 or a communication system via ITU recommendation T.37 from a sender facsimile apparatus as an analogue communication terminal, data communication is executed with respect to a recipient connected gateway on the basis of the communication system instructed by the instruction information.

Abstract: There is provided a plurality of dot printing modes each defining printing operations during main- and sub-scanning. A preferable dot printing mode is selected according to mode selection information that is predetermined to specify the preferable printing mode, and printing is executed according to the preferable dot printing mode specified by the mode selection information. The plurality of dot printing modes are divided into a plurality of printing mode groups according to combination of print resolution and printing speed. The mode selection information specifies the preferable dot printing mode for each printing mode group. One of the plurality of printing mode groups is selected in initial settings of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing control system in which a host computer and a printer are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The printer stores model-specific parameter information, which is control information, in a ROM and, in response to a command from the host computer, transmits the stored model-specific parameters to the host computer to store the parameters in a memory of the host computer. Using the model-specific parameters stored in the memory, the host computer changes the parameters of a printer driver to thereby control printing performed by the printer.

Abstract: A client computer has a group printer driver which provides an interface as one printer driver by comprehensively managing a plurality of registered member printer drivers. This group printer driver provides a setting user interface for comprehensively setting setting items in the printer drivers, and a designating user interface for designating a desired one of these printer drivers. When a member printer driver is designated on the designating user interface, the individual user interface of the designated member printer driver is presented to make it possible to set individual items. This provides a user interface capable of efficiently and easily setting functions of a plurality of printers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing system in which a high-order apparatus and a low-order apparatus are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communicating. The low-order apparatus stores control command information of the low-order apparatus in a ROM and, in response to a request from the high-order apparatus, transmits the control command information to the high-order apparatus to store the information in a memory of the high-order apparatus. Using the control command information corresponding to the low-order apparatus stored in the memory, the high-order apparatus transmits print data to the low-order apparatus and controls the operation of the low-order apparatus.

Abstract: An annotated digital photograph processing system that forms a plurality of composite image files from a plurality of corresponding digital images, annotation information and process control information, and prints them as a plurality of composite images on a roll of photographic medium. Each composite image file may be generated by a server computer, which also receives the components thereof, the file comprising the image and a first symbol. The first symbol includes process control information, and may optionally include annotation information. A roll containing the composite images is processed by a novel printing apparatus that comprises a scanner and inkjet print-heads connected to a control computer, to print the annotation and a second symbol, which includes process control information, directly behind the image to which they correspond after the destructive effects of photo-processing chemicals occur. Then, the first barcode is severed from the medium for each printed image.

Abstract: In a print system comprising a computer and a printer connected directly or indirectly via a network to the computer, the printer stores documents prepared by the computer, has a page/document layout processing section for the stored documents, and can output document data undergoing page/document layout, provided by the page/document layout processing section.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, dithering an image to be printed. Color component values of odd and even pixels of an image are stored in a dither cell. The dither cell is mapped to a staggered dither cell such that lines of odd pixel component values are staggered relative to lines of even pixel component values. Addressing of the staggered dither cell is determined by an address generator that also addresses a buffer storing an up-interpolated image. Corresponding values in the staggered dither cell and the buffer are compared to determine which nozzles of a printhead are fired.

Abstract: Methods for providing digital video images and corresponding still images that exhibit a relatively higher resolution are provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: enabling frames of image data to be provided to a user for rendering as video images, the video images being configured for providing at a first resolution; receiving a request for image data corresponding to one of the frames of image data; and enabling image data corresponding to the requested one of the frames to be provided to the user for rendering as a still image, the still image being configured for providing at a second resolution. Preferably, the second resolution is higher than the first resolution. Systems and computer readable media also are provided.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, dithering an image to be printed. Color component values of odd and even pixels of an image are stored in a dither cell. The dither cell is mapped to a staggered dither cell such that lines of odd pixel component values are staggered relative to lines of even pixel component values. Addressing of the staggered dither cell is determined by an address generator that also addresses a buffer storing an up-interpolated image. Corresponding values in the staggered dither cell and the buffer are compared to determine which nozzles of a printhead are fired.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for producing a multi-layer text, including: providing a text, selecting a value of a text dimension to the text segment, wherein a text dimension refers to any desired domain and includes information on one related text layer. The method further includes: repeating the specified operations as many times as desired.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit for acquiring information stored in a memory of a printing device connected through a bidirectional interface, and a selecting unit for selecting a printer driver corresponding to the information acquired by the acquiring unit from a plurality of printer drivers on the basis of the information.

Abstract: A data processing method for generating print data to be supplied to a printing apparatus capable of multi-value recording, includes a multi-value conversion step of converting obtained image data to multi-value print data; a binarizing step of converting the obtained image data to binary print data; and a selection step of selecting either one of the multi-value conversion step and the binarizing step in accordance with a condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for saving power in a printing system, by prioritizing printer jobs. Using a graphical user interface an end-user assigns a print time to a first job. The print time designation is attached to the first job and the first job is transmitted from the end-user station to a printer. Based on whether the printer is in ready state or in power save mode the first job is printed immediately or stored in memory. When the first job is stored in memory, computations are made to determine a printing time to initiate printing of the first job. The first job is then printed at the printing time or at an earlier printing time if a second job with an earlier printing time is stored in the memory.