Abstract: An image decoding device according to the present invention is an image decoding device responding to decoding of an image encoding method selecting an encoding table and an encoding format to use according to the kind of a parameter included in encoded data and comprises a bit stream processing unit converting a bit stream of the encoded data into an intermediate format and an image processing unit decoding data converted into the intermediate format and converting the same into image data. The bit stream processing unit and the image processing unit start independently. An image encoding device according to the present invention, in the same manner, comprises an image processing unit converting image data to be encoded into an intermediate format and a bit stream processing unit encoding the data converted into the intermediate format and converting the same into a bit stream. Thereby, image encoding and decoding processings with a low operation frequency and low power consumption is realized.

Abstract: A flag indicating whether a decoding process is completed or continued is disposed in each of entries of a decoding process table. A decoded value and a significant bit length are recorded in the entry of a decoding process completion. Information for identifying the decoding process table which is used in a subsequent process, and a bit length that is clipped from a code word which is used when referring to a subsequent table are recorded in the entry of the decoding process continuation. When the decoding process starts, the information for identifying the table to be used and the bit length that is referred to from the code word when referring to the table are designated together with the code word. The decoding process table reference is repeated as the occasion demands. With the above configuration, there is provided a variable length code decoding device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functional block that executes video coding and video decoding based on H.264/AVC. The functional block includes two moving picture processing units, and a memory unit that stores therein data related to the results of processing of first plural macroblocks arranged within one row of one picture by the first moving picture processing unit. Data related to the results of processing of plural adjacent macroblocks, which are selected from the data stored in the memory unit, are transferred to the second moving picture processing unit. The second moving picture processing unit performs processing of one macroblock of second plural macroblocks arranged in the following row, using the transferred data.

Abstract: To provide a technique to reduce power consumption when carrying out image processing by processors. For the purpose of this, for example, a means for specifying a two-dimensional source register and destination register is provided in an operand of an instruction, and the processor includes a means which executes calculation using a plurality of source registers in a plurality of cycles and obtains a plurality of destinations. Moreover, in an instruction to obtain a destination using a plurality of source registers and consuming a plurality of cycles, a data rounding processing part is connected to a final stage of a pipeline. With such configurations, the power consumed when reading an instruction memory is reduced by reducing the access frequency to the instruction memory, for example.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires print data to be printed by a printing apparatus and restriction information for restricting an output process of the print data. The information processing apparatus converts a format of the acquired print data and the restriction information based on information regarding a processing capability of the printing apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus sends the print data and the restriction information, the format of which has been converted, to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A printing system which realize a finely-tuned print function limitation and hence achieve efficient reduction in cost. The printing system comprises a printing apparatus that executes a print job, a print control apparatus that controls the printing apparatus, a print authority management server that manages an print authority of the printing apparatus, and a data base server that holds a print function limitation information. The print control apparatus transmits two or more pieces of information required to limit a print function of the printing apparatus to request production of a print authority token of limiting the print function. The print authority management server receives the two or more pieces of information, searching the print function limitation information held in the database server based on the respective pieces of information to produce a print authority token, and transmit the print authority token to the print control apparatus.

Abstract: In response to a request from a client for the download installation of a device driver, device informational data that has been registered in a server and an installation set, which also has been registered in the server and includes the device driver and applications related to the device driver, are downloaded from the server to the client. On the basis of the device information data that has been downloaded from the server, the device driver and the related applications are installed in the client. After installation, post-installation processing regarding the applications related to the installed device driver is executed at the client based upon the device informational data.

Abstract: Access control unit sends to the access judging unit an access judging check request signal asking whether the requested address falls within one of the access-permitted areas registered in the access judging unit, the access judging unit checks whether the requested address falls within one of the access-permitted areas registered in it and returns to the access control unit an access judging check result signal indicating whether the access request is to be honored or rejected, and the access control unit permits access to the internal bus if the access judging check result signal indicates that the access request is to be honored, or rejects the access request otherwise.

Abstract: According to this invention, a printing management system which manages a log of a print job includes a creation unit which creates log information for specifying a print job on the basis of issued print job data, a save unit which saves the log information created by the creation unit in a save location corresponding to the log information in a storage unit, a determination unit which determines, in accordance with a request to access the log information saved in the save unit, whether to permit or reject the access request, and an access unit which reads log information subjected to the access request when the determination unit determines to permit the access request.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus, a first display screen is displayed to allow for specifying whether to form a copy-forgery-inhibited unit pattern or an array of copy-forgery-inhibited unit patterns, and a second display screen is displayed to allow for specifying a position at which to form the copy-forgery-inhibited unit pattern by selecting the position from a plurality of candidates.

Abstract: A method of controlling an apparatus which is capable of determining a dot disposition of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is disclosed. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image has a latent image area in which a number of first dots and a number of second dots smaller than the first dots are disposed and a background area in which a number of the second dots are disposed. The first dots can be reproduced when copied. The method includes displaying information related to a disposition of the first dots and the second dots in the latent image area, setting a rate of the first dots that are disposed in the latent image area, or a rate of the second dots that are disposed in the latent image area, in accordance with a designation performed by a user, and determining the dot disposition in the latent image area in accordance with the setting of the rate.

Abstract: Security threats are reduced by providing a TLB in a bus interface unit of a media processor whose contents can be updated only from inside the media processor. The TLB checks whether an address specified by an external access request falls within access-permitted areas registered in it. If it does, an access request from outside is passed on to an inside of the media processor; otherwise, it is rejected.

Abstract: A contents reproduction device realizes reduction of power consumption by controlling power supply control according to the input contents. More specifically, in the contents reproduction device, the PSI analysis unit analyzes additional information in the inputted contents so as to check whether video contents are contained or the signal detection unit checks whether the inputted contents contain a video signal. According to the check result, the video information detection unit detects whether the inputted contents contain video information and outputs the detection result to the power control unit. When the inputted contents contain video information, the power control unit supplies power to the display. When no video information is contained, the power control unit stops power supply to the display and turns off power supply to the display.

Abstract: To generate print jobs to be executed by a printing device, an image processing apparatus edits drawing commands output by applications and stored in storage means, in accordance with editing instructions input through input means, executes a process of generating chasing data using the drawing commands, the process including the edition, and then executes a process of generating print data, the process including the edition. The editing instructions for the drawing commands include an instruction to combine a plurality of drawing commands, an instruction to separate a drawing command into a plurality of subcommands, and an instruction to delete a drawing command. The chasing data is generated so as to have a layered data structure indicating the combinative relationship among the plurality of drawing commands if the editing instruction instructs a plurality of drawing commands to be combined together.

Abstract: The present invention realizes a network printing system capable of accumulating and chasing printed data. Further, by providing a job chasing function on the printer driver side, detailed setting can be done to extract history information of the job chasing function. The detailed setting to extract history information to chase a job can be done only by a specific administrator or user so that the job can be reliably chased, whereas the administrator or user can obtain desired history information. Accordingly, a precise jog chasing system can be established.

Abstract: A host computer which generates a print job subjected to printing by a printer stores a drawing command output from an application in a spool file via a graphic engine. A spool system, the graphic engine, and a job chasing function processing unit execute a chasing data generation process by using the drawing command. The spool system, the graphic engine, and a graphics control unit execute a print data generation process by using the same drawing command. At this time, the drawing command is read out and output so as to successively execute the chasing data generation process and print data generation process. With this configuration, there are provided a method of protecting leakage of information by which the contents of information can be reliably chased without requiring either a special application or a device having a special function and posing any restriction on the read or output path, and an information processing apparatus and driver program which implement the method.

Abstract: When the trial period for the printer driver of the trial version has elapsed while the license for the printer driver has not been purchased, the normal printing process continues to be enabled, and the density for tint block printing is set to a density at which a latent-image portion appears. Thus, based on the printing results obtained by a printer, the user can observe the same image as the image on which a tint block image is actually printed. As a result, the user understands that unrelated characters “COPY” are superimposed on the original image, and further experiences the effects of the tint block printing function. Further, the user is encouraged to purchase a license for another software product having a tint block printing function.

Abstract: A mechanism in which whether or not a printing process can be executed in a user's desired format can be recognized by the user before a print output is executed from an application is provided. The application inquires of a printer driver about a restriction value of a printing apparatus in the case of executing the printing process by print setting designated by the user and obtains such a value. Whether or not the printing process can be executed is discriminated on the basis of the obtained print restriction value information and the number of pages of a print document. If it is determined that the printing process cannot be executed, a message showing that it is impossible to execute the printing process is displayed onto a displaying apparatus. If the printing process cannot be executed, the user is allowed to select available print settings.

Abstract: There are provided a system including an address generator and its address generator, capable of generating an address needed for resolution conversion or the like of display data, by using an adder and counters without using a multiplier, which is disadvantageous as regards the mounting area and operation speed when mounting the address generator on an integrated circuit. A first portion for selecting a value from a plurality of values prepared to calculate the next address and adding the selected value, and a second portion for generating a signal to control selection of the value to be added are prepared. A plurality of counters are prepared in the second portion, and the value to be added is selected based on values in these counters. This address generator is incorporated in a DMA controller, memory access controller, display controller or the like, to implement resolution conversion or the like.

Abstract: An information processing method is provided for an information processing apparatus on which a printer driver that runs on an operating system is installed. The method includes a step of reading a module upon reception of an instruction for adding the module to the printer driver, a step of storing the read module into a storage area in an operating system corresponding to the printer driver, a step of registering the module by adding a name of the module stored in the storage area to configuration information of the printer driver and by adding the module to the printer driver, and a step of controlling a print service of the operating system to recognize the registered module.