Abstract: In the case of disposing regions of various sizes within a page, many blank areas appear and a layout result that is visually attractive could not be obtained. Therefore the present invention determines the starting position of a new row or column, using the difference in sizes of the multiple regions disposed in each row or column.

Abstract: Automatic layout processing includes determining an area size based on a vertical size of sub-templates aligned in a row direction and a horizontal size of sub-templates aligned in a column direction, and locating each sub-template in a corresponding area.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, which executes a processing flow that defines cooperation processing of a plurality of tasks, determines, for each task, whether it can be executed in the current environment and executes the tasks determined to be executable, and, based on that, executes the processing flow within the executable range while saving the output data of the executed tasks. If, as a result of execution, it is impossible to complete a processing flow, the processing flow, along with inexecution information describing an unexecuted task, is registered as paused. The registered paused processing flow is then resumed based on the inexecution information and output data.

Abstract: In an information processing method of registering a processing flow, which defines cooperation processing of a plurality of tasks, in a manner that the processing flow can be shared by a plurality of users, a new processing flow is registered in association with a first user in response to a registration request of the new processing flow from the first user. In this stage, parameters of a task cooperated in the new processing flow are altered based on parameter information corresponding to another user different from the first user. Then, the new processing flow, where parameters have been altered, is registered in association with said another user.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a document processing apparatus capable of dynamically changing, according to contents data to be laid out, a layout on a template having an area where an extraction condition for extraction of the contents data from a database is set, the apparatus comprises an obtaining unit which obtains the contents data satisfying the extraction condition from the database; a determination unit which determines one or more of a plurality of sub-templates on which groups of contents data obtained by the obtaining unit should be laid out, from association information on association between the groups of contents data and the plurality of sub-templates for layout of the contents data; and a layout unit which lays out the groups of contents data in the area by laying out the groups of contents data on the one or more sub-templates determined by the determination unit, and which thereby produces output results.

Abstract: A data-processing apparatus for generating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image including a plurality of individual character strings includes an accepting unit that accepts specifications for the plurality of character strings, a drawing-attribute accepting unit that accepts specifications for drawing attributes for the individual character strings, a calculating unit that calculates lengths of the individual character strings based on the specifications accepted by the accepting unit and the drawing-attribute accepting unit, and a generating unit that generates character string lines by combining the plurality of character strings based on the lengths of the individual character strings calculated by the calculating unit.

Abstract: An image-forming device comprises an identifier-storage unit for storing an identifier in correlation with one of a plurality of feeding units on which at least one sheet used for image-forming processing is loaded, a specification unit for specifying the feeding unit by using the identifier, and a usability-determination unit for determining whether use of the specified feeding unit is permitted, where the image-forming device forms an image by feeding the sheet from the specified feeding unit based on the determination result made by the usability-determination unit.

Abstract: In a situation where a data portion is considered as of higher importance in the course of preparation of original data, the designer is enabled to set the electronic watermark in a position that is judged appropriate by the designer. There are provided input means for setting and entering information to be added as the electronic watermark, area data preparation means for setting and preparing the area data of the electronic watermark, first display/reproduction means for displaying or reproducing the digital data in which the electronic watermark is to be applied, electronic watermark addition means for adding the electronic watermark to the digital data, and second display/reproduction means for displaying or reproducing the digital data to which the electronic watermark is added, thereby setting the electronic watermark in a specified area in the digital data and satisfactorily preventing the infringement of the copyright by tampering of the work.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information processing apparatus comprising a setting device for setting, for each predetermined unit, attribute information for a character pattern to be printed in overlay with a form pattern, based on externally entered setting instruction information, a discrimination unit for discriminating whether separation information is set for each predetermined unit, separately from the attribute information and a print control unit adapted, when the discrimination unit identifies that the separation information is set, to generate a character pattern for the predetermined unit for which the separation information is set, based on the attribute information, and to cause overlay printing of the character pattern and the form pattern.