Abstract: In a printing apparatus in which a part of the execution program is downloaded from the host computer, the invention allows the user to easily known the copyright information of the execution program and to select the use of such copyright. The host computer sends print data to the laser beam printer constituting the printing apparatus and downloads a part of the execution program. At the same time, the copyright information and the license information of the execution program are transmitted to the laser beam printer. The control unit of the laser beam printer processes the data based on the execution program, thereby recording the data on the recording sheet, and displays the copyright information and license information on the operation panel. Observing the display, the user selects whether or not to obtain the license by the operation panel.

Abstract: An image data control apparatus includes a memory for storing image data and a reader for reading the image data from the memory. The reader can operate in a first mode for erasing the image data in association with the reading of the image data from the memory and can operate in a second mode for restoring the read image data in the storage means in association with the reading of the image data from the memory.

Abstract: When a status change of a printer engine occurs, a status change signal is output to an image data output apparatus. In response to input of the status change signal, the image data output apparatus inquires or confirms the printer engine what kind of status change occurs so that processing to compensate for the status change will be subject to image data to be output to the printer engine.

Abstract: An image forming system provided with a printer engine and a controller which communicates with the printer engine over a serial communication interface. The controller receives a condition change signal from the printer engine over a dedicated signal line, which is outputted by the printer when the condition of the printer engine changes. The identity of the condition that has changed is then communicated over the serial communication interface. Further, the controller designates one of a plurality of kinds of condition changes, in response to which the condition change signal is outputted, according to the conditions of the controller or the image forming system.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for superposing and recording images of respective recording color components constituting one page on a predetermined recording medium to form a color image includes an operation unit for instructing to stop printing processing, an output section for converting input printing data into pattern images of the respective color components and storing the pattern images in an image buffer memory, a printer engine for superposing and recording the pattern images converted by the output section on the recording medium in units of recording color components, and an instruction section for controlling to stop processing upon completion of current color component superposition recording when at least a printing stop instruction is output from the operation unit while sequential superposition recording of the images of the respective color components is being performed by the printer engine.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print data input device for inputting print data, a processor for performing data-processing of the print data, and an output device for outputting the processed print data as image data to an image forming unit. The processor includes a first setting device for setting line direction data representing a line direction, a second setting device for setting character direction data representing character direction, and a third setting device for setting line feed direction data representing line feed direction. The processor determines a processing mode of the inputted print data on the basis of the line direction data, the character direction data, and the line feed direction data.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus has image forming means for forming an image on a record medium. The image forming means determines a record mode in accordance with designated page direction and print direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording an image on a record medium includes an image forming device which operates in a plurality of record modes, and a control device for determining the record mode to be used on the basis of inputted page direction information and inputted print direction information.