Abstract: In the present invention, a customer operates a customer-use terminal device 1 so that image information stored in a data career brought by the customer is read out by a media drive 2 or a scanner 4, and then a clerk receives payment for the service by the customer. Subsequently, in the customer-use terminal device 1, a CD-R drive 3 carries out the storing of digital image data corresponding to the image information which has been read, only when the completion of the payment id confirmed. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide an image data storing service system which enables to save labor of clerks, reduce the required introduction cost, and ascertain the collection of the payment.

Abstract: In the case of modifying available copy count information which is contained in distribution data, the distribution data being distributed from a distribution server and stored in a PC which serves as a receiving device, the PC sends a reuse request to the distribution server. Thereafter, the PC receives a reuse information key from the distribution server so as to rewrite the available copy count of the distribution data based on the reuse information key, thereby making it possible to reuse the distribution data already distributed once.

Abstract: A computer (2) connected to a printer (1) stores a printer sharing control program (50) for creating print spool files and sending the print spool files to the printer in response to print requests received from a plurality of printer use programs (40). The printer sharing control program (50) generates an interrupt printing control function (56) for storing interrupt printing condition information set to each print request source, a temporary storage function (54) for temporarily storing the print spool files for distinguishing the print request sources, and a data processing function (52) for sending a priority print spool file to the printer based on said interrupt printing condition information.

Abstract: A digital photo processing apparatus with an input device (1) for receiving digitized image data, an image processor (14) for processing the image data to generate printing data, a digital printer (P) for making photo prints from the printing data, and a data recorder (9) for recording the printing data used by the digital printer on a removable recording medium. The data recorder (9) includes a resolution converter (91) for automatically converting the printing data to a proper resolution corresponding to the resolution of the digital printer (P). The resolution converter (91) is operable when the printing data has a volume exceeding an available capacity of the removable recording medium detected by a capacity checker (92).

Abstract: A photo printing system for transmitting image information including photo frame image data to a plurality of printers (P) through signal paths to print images, with a memory (41) for loading image information transmitted from an image input device (7), and a print order managing unit (50) for managing said image information on an order-by-order basis. The print order managing unit (50) includes a distributing unit (53) for applying printer IDs identifying the printers used, as attribute data, to the image information in the respective orders, a printer control unit (51) for checking an operating status of each of said printers, and a data output unit (54) for transmitting, based on a signal from said printer control unit, photo frame image data in an image file to be printed from said memory to one of said printers specified by the attribute data of said image file.

Abstract: In the present invention, a customer operates a customer-use terminal device 1 so that image information stored in a data career brought by the customer is read out by a media drive 2 or a scanner 4, and then a clerk receives payment for the service by the customer. Subsequently, in the customer-use terminal device 1, a CD-R drive 3 carries out the storing of digital image data corresponding to the image information which has been read, only when the completion of the payment id confirmed. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide an image data storing service system which enables to save labor of clerks, reduce the required introduction cost, and ascertain the collection of the payment.

Abstract: A computer 2 connected to a printer 1 stores a printer sharing control program 50 for creating print spool files and sending the print spool files to the printer in response to print requests received from a plurality of printer use programs 40. The printer sharing control program 50 generates an interrupt printing control function 56 for storing interrupt printing condition information set to each print request source, a temporary storage function 54 for temporarily storing the print spool files for distinguishing the print request sources, and a data processing function 52 for sending a priority print spool file to the printer based on said interrupt printing condition information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of simply and reliably handling two different forms of information, audio and image, as linked together in order to record the information on the same recording medium. This image processing apparatus has an image input unit (10) for inputting image information, an audio input unit (60) for inputting audio information, a link processing unit (130a) for setting link information to link the image information and audio information, a code converter (242) for converting the audio information into an optically readable audio code image, and a printing device (30) operable based on the link information for recording a visual image corresponding to the image information and the audio code image on a predetermined recording medium. One can not only visually enjoy the image recorded on the recording medium, but hear a sound from the audio code image recorded on the recording medium with an appropriate reproduction device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of simply and reliably handling two different forms of information, audio and image, as linked together in order to record the information on the same recording medium. This image processing apparatus has an image input unit (10) for inputting image information, an audio input unit (60) for inputting audio information, a link processing unit (130a) for setting link information to link the image information and audio information, a code converter (242) for converting the audio information into an optically readable audio code image, and a printing device (30) operable based on the link information for recording a visual image corresponding to the image information and the audio code image on a predetermined recording medium. One can not only visually enjoy the image recorded on the recording medium, but hear a sound from the audio code image recorded on the recording medium with an appropriate reproduction device.

Abstract: An apparatus for making recording media with audio code images by combining visual images converted from image information and audio code images encoded to be optically readable from audio information relating to the image information. This apparatus includes a monitor 60 for displaying composite images of visual images and audio code images. To transmit to a speaker audio signals corresponding to the audio code images displayed on the monitor 60, the apparatus has a first audio code image checking function including a pointing device 81 or keyboard 86, an audio data retriever 82, an audio reproducer 83, a speaker 84 and a controller 100, and a second audio code image checking function including the pointing device 81 or keyboard 86, audio reproducer 83, speaker 84, a reverse converter 85 and controller 100.

Abstract: An apparatus for making recording media with audio code images by combining visual images converted from image information and audio code images encoded to be optically readable from audio information relating to the image information. This apparatus includes a monitor 60 for displaying composite images of visual images and audio code images. To transmit to a speaker audio signals corresponding to the audio code images displayed on the monitor 60, the apparatus has a first audio code image checking function including a pointing device 81 or keyboard 86, an audio data retriever 82, an audio reproducer 83, a speaker 84 and a controller 100, and a second audio code image checking function including the pointing device 81 or keyboard 86, audio reproducer 83, speaker 84, a reverse converter 85 and controller 100.

Abstract: A host computer determines if it is a time to reissue a password for use in an authentication check of a computer of a client, and if so, performs a process of updating the password. In the password to be reissued, included is specific data reflecting the existing state of the computer of the client with regard to data communication. As a result, the host computer can be prevented from having access from disqualified computer of a client or illegal access from a third person with stolen password.

Abstract: In the case of modifying available copy count information which is contained in distribution data, the distribution data being distributed from a distribution server and stored in a PC which serves as a receiving device, the PC sends a reuse request to the distribution server. Thereafter, the PC receives a reuse information key from the distribution server so as to rewrite the available copy count of the distribution data based on the reuse information key, thereby making it possible to reuse the distribution data already distributed once.

Abstract: An order receiving apparatus (1) for making sound-accompanying photographs having, recorded thereon, image information, and audio information converted into code images to be optically readable. This apparatus includes an audio input unit (22) for receiving audio information from a customer, an image input unit (23) for receiving image information, a layout editor (12) for designating recording regions on a sound-accompanying photograph to be made, to record the image information and audio information, and an order information output unit (26) for outputting the image information and audio information as order information and as linked to the recording regions designated.

Abstract: A photo printing system for transmitting image information including photo frame image data to a plurality of printers (P) through signal paths to print images, with a memory (41) for loading image information transmitted from an image input device (7), and a print order managing unit (50) for managing said image information on an order-by-order basis. The print order managing unit (50) includes a distributing unit (53) for applying printer IDs identifying the printers used, as attribute data, to the image information in the respective orders, a printer control unit (51) for checking an operating status of each of said printers, and a data output unit (54) for transmitting, based on a signal from said printer control unit, photo frame image data in an image file to be printed from said memory to one of said printers specified by the attribute data of said image file.

Abstract: A digital photo processing apparatus with an input device (1) for receiving digitized image data, an image processor (14) for processing the image data to generate printing data, a digital printer (P) for making photo prints from the printing data, and a data recorder (9) for recording the printing data used by the digital printer on a removable recording medium. The data recorder (9) includes a resolution converter (91) for automatically converting the printing data to a proper resolution corresponding to the resolution of the digital printer (P). The resolution converter (91) is operable when the printing data has a volume exceeding an available capacity of the removable recording medium detected by a capacity checker (92).

Abstract: An ink ribbon assembly for use in a thermal transfer printer includes a plurality of ink ribbons 17a, 17b and 17c which has at least one ink ribbon 17c less influence on an outcome the printing accuracy is shorter in length than the other ink ribbons 17a and 17b. The shorter ink ribbon has a terminal end mark 60 formed at its terminal end. At the time point when the end of the shorter ink ribbon is detected in the middle of the printing of one printing area, the other ink ribbons have finished the printing of such printing area, because they are longer than the ink ribbon 17c, and thus, joints cannot be produced in the printing with the longer ink ribbons.