Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image correction unit and a determination unit. The image correction unit inserts a new pixel between pixels forming image data with a plurality of pixels printed using a plurality of print color materials arranged in a main scanning direction in order to correct the image width in the main scanning direction. The determination unit determines whether or not the image data is specified for print with a dot representing given information superposed. When the determination unit determines that the image data is specified for print with the dot superposed, a prohibition unit included in the image correction unit prohibits insertion of the new pixel into a pixel string of a print color material of a similar color to the print color material for the dot.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an alternative printing unit. The alternative printing unit performs alternative printing of a black image by mixing images of color materials of three colors of cyan, yellow, and magenta. The alternative printing unit includes a color material amount control unit that controls amounts of the respective color materials, which form the images of the color materials of the three colors, so as to be smaller than those at a time of normal printing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image data forming unit that forms an image data which includes a first dot image to be visible by copying, a second dot image to be invisible by copying, a hidden text portion and the background portion; and an image forming unit that carries out image formation by using the image data formed by the image data forming unit. the first dot image has a first color, the first dot image includes dots having a dot size increased by decreasing the number of lines of dots, the second dot image has a second color, the second dot images includes dots having a dot size decreased by increasing the number of lines of dots, and the second dot image is stacked on the first dot image in at least one of a hidden text portion or a background portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print data receiving unit that receives print data designating black as a color material for printing a code information portion; a discriminating unit that discriminates as to whether or not black as a color material is in a usable state; a print data generation unit that generates, when the discriminating unit discriminates that the color material of black is not the usable state, the print data that changes a designation of the color material of black as to the code information portion of the print data received by the print data receiving portion into a designation of other color material enabling the code information to be read by a code information reading apparatus; and an image forming unit that forms an image by the print data thus changed by the print data generation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a classifying unit which classifies constituent elements constituting print data into a single or a plurality of areas based on a plurality of types of the constituent elements; a color conversion processing unit which performs, with respect to each of the constituent elements classified by the classifying unit, a color conversion coping with each type the constituent elements; and an image forming unit which composes the constituent elements subjected to the color conversion by the color conversion processing unit and forms an image based on the print data composed

Abstract: The watch design creating system according to the present invention utilizes, for example, the internet as an information communication network. For example, a consumer (1) in subscribers (1 to N) which are customers, requests design information to a host computer (H) of the watch maker which is a watch supplier, through the internet, the watch maker provides, for example, a CD-ROM stored design software and data used for original design to the consumer. The consumer creates the original design watch in accordance with steps stored in the CD-ROM, records it into a FD (floppy disk) and sends it to the watch maker. The watch maker produces the original watch and delivers the completed watch to the consumer (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a design-for-product creating system and a design-for-product processing system. In the design-for-product creating system, a product vendor provides a user with a product design program, which enables the user to view virtual products that are graphics expressing designs created by the product vendor, and virtual part data representing virtual parts that constitute each virtual product. The user downloads the product design program and digital part data into his/her own computer, uniquely designs a product or part in a desired manner, and asks the product vendor over the Internet or the like to manufacture a product or part of the unique design. The product vendor in turn manufactures a product or part according to the desired unique design for a product or part provided by the user, and supplies the product or part of the unique design to the user.

Abstract: The watch design creating system according to the present invention utilizes, for example, the internet as an information communication network. For example, a consumer (1) in subscribers (1 to N) which are customers, requests design information to a host computer (H) of the watch maker which is a watch supplier, through the internet, the watch maker provides, for example, a CD-ROM stored design software and data used for original design to the consumer. The consumer creates the original design watch in accordance with steps stored in the CD-ROM, records it into a FD (floppy disk) and sends it to the watch maker. The watch maker produces the original watch and delivers the completed watch to the consumer (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a design-for-product creating system and a design-for-product processing system. In the design-for-product creating system, a product vendor provides a user with a product design program, which enables the user to view virtual products that are graphics expressing designs created by the product vendor, and virtual part data representing virtual parts that constitute each virtual product. The user downloads the product design program and digital part data into his/her own computer, uniquely designs a product or part in a desired manner, and asks the product vendor over the Internet or the like to manufacture a product or part of the unique design. The product vendor in turn manufactures a product or part according to the desired unique design for a product or part provided by the user, and supplies the product or part of the unique design to the user.