Abstract: When it is set by a user to use a nearline finisher with priority, if a print job that uses an inline finisher is to be processed, the print job using the inline finisher is divided into a print job to be executed with the inline finisher and a print job to be executed with the nearline finisher. In contrast, when it is set by a user to use the inline finisher with priority, if a print job that uses the nearline finisher is to be processed, a portion to be executed with the inline finisher and a portion to be executed with the nearline finisher are aggregated, thereby converting the print job to a print job for the inline finisher.

Abstract: An information processing device determines whether or not drawing commands received from an application are logical drawing commands, and in the event that the received drawing commands are determined to be logical drawing commands, the received drawing commands are held and compared with entries in a reference table, where determination is made regarding whether there are any entries matching the received drawing commands, and in the event that there is a matching entry, a substitution drawing command is output to substitute for the corresponding drawing command, thereby generating a page description language. This enables optimizing complicated raster operations using applications, both in output size and drawing quality, and correct drawing even with non-supporting page description language systems.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a database storing a layout template made up of containers, each representing a display area for a part of a user interface (UI). The user interface is configured by embedding display content in each container of the layout template in the database. On the occurrence of an event for changing arrangement of the user interface, the user interface is reconfigured by calculating arrangement of each container according to the size of the display content in one of the containers and embedding the display content in each container subjected to the calculation.

Abstract: A printer driver generates output data adapted to the processing power of a printer. When the printer driver receives a draw command from an operating system, a complexity value of the draw command is calculated depending on the type of the command and/or the number of contour points of a clipping area included as a parameter of the command. A processing mode is selected depending on the complexity relative to first and second threshold values. In a first processing mode, a draw command to draw image data and a clip command are simply output. In a second processing mode, a draw command to draw image elements generated in accordance with a clip command is output. In a third processing mode, mask data is generated from a clip command, and a command to calculate the logical AND between image data and the mask data is output.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reading unit that reads out image data for a document; a dividing unit that divides the image data for the document, read out by the reading unit, into secure parts and non-secure parts; a secure document generating unit that generates a secure document from the secure parts; a non-secure document generating unit that generates a non-secure document from the non-secure parts; and a storing unit that stores the secure document and the non-secure document in a storage unit.

Abstract: Upon generating control codes to be output to a printing apparatus, an application designates the total number of control codes that can be generated, and when the designated number of control codes that can be generated has been exceeded, subsequent control codes are ceased to be generated, thus avoiding any memory errors and the like.

Abstract: A user sets a desired print function for a printer having a print function. In accordance with the set print function, whether a printer control command recognized by the printer is generated by an application for a host computer or a printer driver is determined. If an additional function of the printer driver, e.g., an N-page print function, a printing/bookbinding function, or the like is set, the printer driver generates a printer control command. If no additional function is set, the application generates a printer control command. The generated printer control command is output from the system spooler of the host computer to the printer.

Abstract: A workflow scheduler is provided in which highly correlated processes are scheduled so as to be continuously executed. The workflow scheduler analyzes an input print order, divides the print order into a plurality of processes to carry out the print order, arranges a schedule of the plurality of processes divided, groups a set of processes together from the plurality of processes into which the print order is divided according to grouping attributes of the plurality of processes, the set of processes being associated with each other by the grouping attributes, outputs the plurality of processes whose schedule is arranged by the schedule arranging unit in a recognizable manner, and arranges the schedule of the plurality of processes such that the set of processes is capable of being executed continuously.

Abstract: A server printing apparatus which can communicate with a plurality of processors for respectively executing any of not less than one processes included in a print-related process according to a print order, includes a storage unit for storing execution content information indicating execution contents using at least one processor in association with the print-related process according to the print order, an encryption key storage unit for storing encryption keys uniquely and respectively given to the plurality of processors, and an encryption processing unit for encrypting information associated with each of the processors in the execution content information using the encryption key unique to that processor, and the processors are controlled to execute the print-related process according to the print order using the execution content information.

Abstract: A printer driver generates output data adapted to the processing power of a printer. When the printer driver receives a draw command from an operating system, a complexity value of the draw command is calculated depending on the type of the command and/or the number of contour points of a clipping area included as a parameter of the command. A processing mode is selected depending on the complexity relative to first and second threshold values. In a first processing mode, a draw command to draw image data and a clip command are simply output. In a second processing mode, a draw command to draw image elements generated in accordance with a clip command is output. In a third processing mode, mask data is generated from a clip command, and a command to calculate the logical AND between image data and the mask data is output.

Abstract: An information processing device determines whether or not drawing commands received from an application are logical drawing commands, and in the event that the received drawing commands are determined to be logical drawing commands, the received drawing commands are held and compared with entries in a reference table, where determination is made regarding whether there are any entries matching the received drawing commands, and in the event that there is a matching entry, a substitution drawing command is output to substitute for the corresponding drawing command, thereby generating a page description language. This enables optimizing complicated raster operations using applications, both in output size and drawing quality, and correct drawing even with non-supporting page description language systems.

Abstract: Upon generating control codes to be output to a printing apparatus, an application designates the total number of control codes that can be generated, and when the designated number of control codes that can be generated has been exceeded, subsequent control codes are ceased to be generated, thus avoiding any memory errors and the like.

Abstract: A user sets a desired print function for a printer having a print function. In accordance with the set print function, whether a printer control command recognized by the printer is generated by an application for a host computer or a printer driver is determined. If an additional function of the printer driver, e.g., an N-page print function, a printing/bookbinding function, or the like is set, the printer driver generates a printer control command. If no additional function is set, the application generates a printer control command. The generated printer control command is output from the system spooler of the host computer to the printer.

Abstract: In outputting data by using another apparatus connected to a network, an output charge for output data can be calculated without sending the output data to the network.

Abstract: A battery assembly unit and a method of charging the same for applying constant current/constant voltage charging to a battery assembly in which a plurality of battery cell groups each having battery cells each being rechargeable and increasable in electromotive force as charging proceeds are connected in series. There are provided a reference charging voltage circuit for generating charging reference voltages serving as voltages referenced to electromotive force levels of the individual battery cell groups on the basis of charging voltage applied across the battery assembly and changeable with time, and comparison circuits each adapted to compare an electromotive force level across each of the plurality of battery cell groups connected in series with the charging reference voltage.

Abstract: When the sensor block 10 is placed on the roller block 20 and the reading surface of the reading sensor 31 faces the aforementioned driving roller 28, then paper is automatically fed with the driving roller 28 and text and image data are read with the reading sensor 31. On the other hand, when the sensor block 10 is reversed 180.degree. and placed again over the roller block 20, then the reading sensor 31 reads text and images when the sensor block 10, arranged beneath the roller block 20, are moving or the document by manual operation.