Abstract: Data transfer is realized to support a high-speed and complex driving control of the driving element. A driving device includes a driving unit configured to supply a driving element with a pulse signal that determines a driving period to drive the driving element, an input unit configured to receive, in synchronization with a trigger signal, a data signal containing first information, second information, a first flag and a second flag that determine a waveform of the pulse signal, a first setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the first information that is input to the input unit, a retaining unit configured to read and retain the second information on the basis of the first flag, and a second setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the second information that is retained in the retaining unit on the basis of the second flag.

Abstract: An image processing method includes printing out a layout mark-sensing sheet indicating a plurality of different sample image layout options that graphically indicate different layouts of an image to be printed on a recording medium that has a specific shape. The layout mark-sensing sheet allows a user to mark the layout mark-sensing sheet to designate a specific image layout option from among the plurality of different sample image layout options. The layout mark-sensing sheet marked by the user is read and the image is printed on the recording medium based on the specific image layout option marked by the user on the layout mark-sensing sheet.

Abstract: Data transfer is realized to support a high-speed and complex driving control of the driving element. A driving device includes a driving unit configured to supply a driving element with a pulse signal that determines a driving period to drive the driving element, an input unit configured to receive, in synchronization with a trigger signal, a data signal containing first information, second information, a first flag and a second flag that determine a waveform of the pulse signal, a first setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the first information that is input to the input unit, a retaining unit configured to read and retain the second information on the basis of the first flag, and a second setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the second information that is retained in the retaining unit on the basis of the second flag.

Abstract: Data transfer is realized to support a high-speed and complex driving control of the driving element. A driving device includes a driving unit configured to supply a driving element with a pulse signal that determines a driving period to drive the driving element, an input unit configured to receive, in synchronization with a trigger signal, a data signal containing first information, second information, a first flag and a second flag that determine a waveform of the pulse signal, a first setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the first information that is input to the input unit, a retaining unit configured to read and retain the second information on the basis of the first flag, and a second setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the second information that is retained in the retaining unit on the basis of the second flag.

Abstract: Data transfer is realized to support a high-speed and complex driving control of the driving element. A driving device includes a driving unit configured to supply a driving element with a pulse signal that determines a driving period to drive the driving element, an input unit configured to receive, in synchronization with a trigger signal, a data signal containing first information, second information, a first flag and a second flag that determine a waveform of the pulse signal, a first setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the first information that is input to the input unit, a retaining unit configured to read and retain the second information on the basis of the first flag, and a second setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the second information that is retained in the retaining unit on the basis of the second flag.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, the image data to be recorded/output by an image recording means is specified by information stated on a mark sheet that is read from an image reading means. The image data to be printed/output is analyzed, the number of people in the photographic object in the image data is detected, and a thumbnail image of the image is printed together with a mark sheet having mark areas in which the number of prints of the image can be specified in correspondence to the number of people in the photographic object obtained by detecting the number of faces from the image data or by another method. The mark sheet is read by an image reading means, and an image of the number of prints corresponding to the number of people in the photographic object is printed.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus, if encoded image information is received, controls the form in which the received image information is printed, in dependence upon whether a specific type of printing paper has been loaded, or in dependence upon whether color-space information of the received image information matches a prescribed color space.

Abstract: An image processing method includes printing out a layout mark-sensing sheet indicating a plurality of different sample image layout options that graphically indicate different layouts of an image to be printed on a recording medium that has a specific shape. The layout mark-sensing sheet allows a user to mark the layout mark-sensing sheet to designate a specific image layout option from among the plurality of different sample image layout options. The layout mark-sensing sheet marked by the user is read and the image is printed on the recording medium based on the specific image layout option marked by the user on the layout mark-sensing sheet.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, the image data to be recorded/output by an image recording means is specified by information stated on a mark sheet that is read from an image reading means. The image data to be printed/output is analyzed, the number of people in the photographic object in the image data is detected, and a thumbnail image of the image is printed together with a mark sheet having mark areas in which the number of prints of the image can be specified in correspondence to the number of people in the photographic object obtained by detecting the number of faces from the image data or by another method. The mark sheet is read by an image reading means, and an image of the number of prints corresponding to the number of people in the photographic object is printed.

Abstract: Provided is an image communication apparatus which, if encoded image information is received, controls the form in which the received image information is printed in dependence upon whether a specific type of printing paper has been loaded or in dependence upon whether color-space information of the received image information matches a prescribed color space.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus individually reads a predetermined white reference plate by flickering light sources of the respective colors before an original image is read by sequentially turning on the light sources during one line sync period. The flickering duty ratio of the light source obtained when the white reference plate is read is set for each color so as to maximize the output value from an A/D converter within its predetermined conversion range. When an original is read, the image reading apparatus changes the emission color by switching the light source to be flickered every line sync period, and turns on the light sources of the respective colors in accordance with different duty ratios set for these colors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which has a facsimile function by which it records image data received in facsimile communications and a printer function by which it records image data output from a host computer. The apparatus includes a printing mode setting device for setting the apparatus to one of a plurality of printing modes, a recording device for recording image data, a reception device for receiving facsimile image data, and a control device for causing the setting device to set the apparatus to a specific printing mode when facsimile image data received by the reception device is to be recorded, independent of any printing mode in which the apparatus has previously been set by the setting device. The plurality of printing modes include at least one of a draft mode in which image data is recorded in a thinned-out form and a high-quality mode in which recording is performed by one-direction printing. The specific mode is a two-direction recording mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image based on data received from a plurality of data sources of different kinds includes a receiver for receiving data from each of the plurality of data sources; a memory for storing data received by the receiver; a recording unit for forming an image based on data read from the memory; a determination unit for determining whether or not image formation by the recording unit is currently being performed; and an output unit for generating a command for setting the recording unit in a specific one of a plurality of printing modes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which has a facsimile function by which it records image data received in facsimile communications and a printer function by which it records image data output from a host computer. The apparatus includes a printing mode setting device for setting the apparatus to one of a plurality of printing modes, a recording device for recording image data, a reception device for receiving facsimile image data, and a control device for causing the setting device to set the apparatus to a specific printing mode when facsimile image data received by the reception device is to be recorded, independent of any printing mode in which the apparatus has previously been set by the setting device. The plurality of printing modes include at least one of a draft mode in which image data is recorded in a thinned-out form and a high-quality mode in which recording is performed by one-direction printing. The specific mode is a two-direction recording mode.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing recording of data on a recording medium by transferring ink of an ink sheet on said recording medium comprises conveying means for conveying said ink sheet and recording medium, recording means for effecting said ink sheet to record image data on said recording medium, and control means for counting time after image recording by said recording means and driving said recording means when the next image recording is not performed in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which has a facsimile function by which it records image data received in facsimile communications and a printer function by which it records image data output from a host computer. The apparatus includes a printing mode setting device for setting the apparatus to one of a plurality of printing modes, a recording device for recording image data, a reception device for receiving facsimile image data, and a control device for causing the setting device to set the apparatus to a specific printing mode when facsimile image data received by the reception device is to be recorded, independent of any printing mode in which the apparatus has previously been set by the setting device. The plurality of printing modes include at least one of a draft mode in which image data is recorded in a thinned-out form and a high-quality mode in which recording is performed by one-direction printing. The specific mode is a two-direction recording mode.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a facsimile (FAX) unit and a printer unit. The printer unit has an ink-jet printing head, and records an image in accordance with image data received by the FAX unit. In this apparatus, when the power supply is turned on, the printer unit performs a hard power-ON initialization process to initialize a watchdog timer, registers, the work area of a RAM, and the like, and also initializes the RAM to erase data left in buffers. Thereafter, the printer unit transfers to a standby state. When a print request or a printer setting request is generated in the standby state, a soft power supply initialization process is executed to perform checking of the RAM, initialization of the work area, and initialization of carriage control and paper feed control, and the like. In the standby state, LEDs and the like of the printer unit are kept OFF. An operation error of the printer unit caused by remaining data can be prevented, and reliability of the apparatus can be improved.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus having a printer which can operate independently. If it is designated to use the printer as a printer, whether or not the memory of the facsimile controller has a predetermined amount or more empty area. If the memory has a sufficient amount of empty area, the memory is used as a print buffer for temporarily storing print data from a computer connected to the printer. On the other hand, if the memory does not have the predetermined amount or more empty area, the printer is directly connected to the computer, and the printer is used as a printer.

Abstract: A communication apparatus having an automatic dialing function such as redial, one-touch dial, abbreviated dial comprises: a memory to store the dial number; a detector to detect a predetermined hooking operation by another terminal; and a transmitter to transmit a dial signal according to the dial number stored in the memory on the basis of the detection of the predetermined hooking operation by the detector. The detector has a second detector to detect an off hook of another terminal. The transmitter sets a predetermined flag on the basis of the detection of the predetermined hooking operation and, when the off hook is detected, if the predetermined flag has been set, the dial signal according to the dial number stored in the memory is transmitted.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus having a printer which can operate independently. If it is designated to use the printer as a printer, whether or not the memory of the facsimile controller has a predetermined amount or more empty area. If the memory has a sufficient amount of empty area, the memory is used as a print buffer for temporarily storing print data from a computer connected to the printer. On the other hand, if the memory does not have the predetermined amount or more empty area, the printer is directly connected to the computer, and the printer is used as a printer.