Abstract: A method to enhance the copy or printout efficiency and decrease the number of output jobs that are abandoned because of undesirable outputs. Abort of output due to absence of sheets or staples, overload of a delivery tray, or the like is predicted. If output abort is determined, data is removed from an output queue and re-registered as an output reserve job at the end of the queue.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: Original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comprising the retrieved original digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the original digital data. Furthermore, digital data generated by composition is stored in the memory. Also, original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, and when no original digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data in the memory. Moreover, region segmentation information obtained in a block selection step and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a memory which stores one or more images as one document, and an image forming unit which forms on a sheet the image of the document stored in the memory. Also included is a controller which causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming of the plural documents stored in the memory, as one document. The image forming unit includes a binder for binding the sheets on which the images of the plural documents are respectively formed, as one sheaf.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus incorporating an image forming unit capable of execution in a layout print mode in which a plurality of pages of image data is formed on a single sheet, whether or not to permit the image forming unit to execute in the layout print mode for a plurality of sets of image data to be laid out in the layout print mode is controlled based on the image property information of the plurality of image data, so that layout functions desired by users are provided and ease of operation by the users is improved without incurring excessive processes or additional cost.

Abstract: In order to manage the amount of power consumed by executing a plurality of jobs in parallel to a proper level, when a job start key is pressed, whether power consumption exceeds a predetermined value is determined. If the power consumption does not exceed the predetermined value, the job is executed; otherwise, the job is not executed, and the processing waits for a next instruction.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus obtains optimum double-face print output results aligned in a binding direction even if plural recording sheet sizes mixedly exist in one document. To do so, a CPU of a formatter unit judges consistency between image formation directions on different-size recording sheets on the basis of a designation state of a short edge binding double-face mode or a long edge binding double-face mode designated to a print job by a PC/WS and a designation state of the recording sheet size independently designated to each page of the print job, and it is then controlled based on the judged result that double-face image formation to the recording sheet of either of the designated sizes is performed based on the other double-face mode than the double-face mode actually designated to the print job.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including print sheet feeding unit for feeding a print sheet, receiving unit for receiving image data and an identification of the image data from a personal computer, printing unit for printing an image on the print sheet fed by the print sheet feeding unit in accordance with the image data received by the receiving unit, insert sheet feeding unit for feeding a insert sheet, operation panel for inputting an identification of the insert sheet by a user, control unit for control the insert sheet feeding unit to feed the insert sheet in accordance with the identification of the image data corresponding to the identification of the insert sheet.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing image data, and a secondary storage unit for storing the image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit, a capacity of the secondary storage unit being larger than that of the temporary storage unit. In the apparatus, image processing of one unit to be executed is divided into an image input job to input the image data from an image input unit and an image output job to output the image data to an image output unit, and each of execution of the image input job and execution of the image output job is independently controlled according to an abnormality detection result of the secondary storage unit, whereby an unexecutable state of an image processing operation is avoided even if the secondary storage unit is in an abnormal state, and thus the image processing operation is effectively performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a memory for storing one or more images as one document, an image forming unit for forming on a sheet the image of the document stored in the memory; and a controller for causing the image forming unit to perform the image forming of the plural documents stored in the memory, as one document. The image forming unit includes a binder for binding the sheets, and the controller causes the binder to bind the sheets on which the images of the plural documents were respectively formed, as one sheaf. The image forming unit forms the images on front and back faces of the sheet, and the controller permits the image forming unit to form the image of a page included in a second document, on the back face of the sheet the front face of which the image of a page included in a first document was formed on. The controller causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming for the plural documents in order according to the image forming order set by a setting unit.

Abstract: An image of an original is read and stored into a first buffer memory and encoded. The encoded data is stored into a second buffer memory. The stored encoded data is transferred to, e.g., a magneto-optic disk drive unit. Further, the image data stored in the first buffer memory is converted into the image data of a low resolution and is encoded and stored into a third buffer memory. The stored encoded data is transferred to the magneto-optic disk drive unit. After the image data stored in the first buffer memory is encoded, the resolution conversion of the image data stored in the first buffer memory is started in a manner such that the recording of the encoded data of low resolution to a magneto-optic disk can be started just after the encoded data of high resolution was recorded to the magneto-optic disk. Thus, the image data of high resolution and the image data of low resolution can be promptly recorded onto the magneto-optic disk.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for controlling an execution order of a plurality of processing operations comprises an input device for inputting a plurality of jobs for image processing, a storage device for storing the plurality of jobs input by the input device and a controller for sorting an execution order of the plurality of jobs stored in the storage device in accordance with times required for processing of each of the jobs, and further sorting the execution order of the plurality of sorted jobs in accordance with whether each of the jobs corresponds to an image input or an image output, wherein the controller executes each of the jobs according to the execution order of the plurality of sorted job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit for reading an original image, and a recording unit for recording an image. A control unit is also provided which controls the relative timing between the operations of the reading unit and the recording unit. The operation of the control unit enables the apparatus to perform a reading operation in a first mode, in which the reading unit reads an original image without the recording unit performing a recording operation, in parallel with a recording operation in a second mode, in which a different original image, read by the reading unit, is recorded by the recording unit, such that vibrations caused by either the reading operation in the first mode or the recording operation in the second mode do not affect the other operation. As a result of the structure of the apparatus, an advantageous feature can be attained in which the timing of a writing operation is controlled in accordance with the movement of the reading scanner.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus worth multiple functions, there is provided a method of controlling the function of a peripheral equipment, such as for image filing, facsimile an image printing function, by the control unit of the image processing apparatus. The control program and display data, relating to the image processing function of such peripheral equipment are transferred to, and stored in the composite image processing apparatus, and in response to the selection of such image processing function, the control of the operation unit of the apparatus is switched to a control mode based on the transferred program and display data.

Abstract: An image processing mode setting apparatus for setting an image processing mode by using a special sheet such as a mark sheet includes a base plate on which a plurality of originals are stackable, an original feeding device for feeding the originals on the base plate one by one to the exposing position and for feeding out the originals onto the base plate after completion of the exposure, and a read-out unit to read the images of the originals fed to the exposing position by the feeding device. A sensor detects a mark sheet on which the image processing mode has been written on the basis of the image signal generated from the read-out unit. A memory stores the image processing mode written on the mark sheet which has been detected by the sensor and a setting unit sets the image processing mode stored in the memory for the original which is fed before the mark sheet after all of the originals on the base plate were fed.