Abstract: Various functions can be easily added using print data output from an existing application without modifying the existing application program. A function expansion method for executing a process that expands the functions of an application runs on a computer that operates according to an operating system on the operating system kernel layer, executes a specific process according to an application on an application layer, and has one or more communication ports, includes a step of acquiring print data output from the application on the operating system kernel layer, and a step of performing at the application layer a process expanding the function of the acquired print data, and outputs the print data after processing to a suitable communication port.

Abstract: Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.

Abstract: Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.

Abstract: Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.

Abstract: An information distribution system reduces the effort required to change an application in conjunction with changes in process content and changes in the receiver type or specifications while also accommodating broadcast processes. A style sheet database stores a plurality of output style sheets, which are information conversion rules including conditional expressions related to information distribution. An integrated device control service acquires output data and receiver information specifying the address of the receiver and the output style sheet corresponding to said receiver. When the output data satisfies the conditional expression contained in the output style sheet, the integrated device control service distributes converted output data, which is the output data converted based on the output style sheet, to the address of the receiver.

Abstract: A device control system does not require changing the application in conjunction with changes in process content or changes in the type or specifications of a device. A style sheet database 81 stores a plurality of style sheets describing information conversion rules for XML documents. A communication interface 84 acquires output data from an application 41, and acquires an XML document 1 containing information specifying the target device to which the output data is output and an output style sheet. Based on the output style sheet, an XML document converter 85 converts the XML document 1 acquired from the communication interface 84 to an XML document 2 including device control information for the target device. A device-specific XML document input/output unit 86 outputs the XML document 2 acquired from the XML document converter 85 to the device control service 73, 75 corresponding to the target device.

Abstract: The effort of changing an application in conjunction with a change in process content or change in the type or specifications of a receiver can be reduced, and a cooperative process involving a plurality of receivers without going through an application can be achieved. An integrated device control service 44 acquires output data, information related to the address of a first receiver and a first style sheet for the first receiver, and information related to the address of a second receiver and a second style sheet for the second receiver from an application 41 and a style sheet database 81 that stores a plurality of style sheets describing information conversion rules. In accordance with the success or failure of first conversion data distribution, the integrated device control service 44 sends second conversion data, which is the output data converted according to the second style sheet, to the second receiver.

Abstract: Background images are removed and only the desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. Image sharpening or contrast enhancement can be used as the density distribution improvement method. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.

Abstract: A thermal printer drive control apparatus of the type having a thermal print head comprising a plurality of heating elements provides for reliable cost effective thermal head temperature detection by means of producing multiple, different current flow intervals that are applied to binary data to produce data drive signals for the heating elements. The current flow intervals are based upon historical drive data derived from linear temperature conditions sensed at the thermal print head. This information is converted to a digitized representation for use in conjunction with a table placed in memory that provides predetermined current flow intervals based upon the digitized representation. Further, circuitry is provided to produce heating element drive signals having pulse widths based upon the determined current flow intervals.

Abstract: A thermal printer drive control apparatus of the type having a thermal print head comprising a plurality of heating elements provides for reliable cost effective thermal head temperature detection by means of producing multiple, different current flow intervals that are applied to binary data to produce data drive signals for the heating elements. The current flow intervals are based upon historical drive data derived from linear temperature conditions sensed at the thermal print head. This information is converted to a digitized representation for use in conjunction with a table placed in memory that provides predetermined current flow intervals based upon the digitized representation. Further, circuitry is provided to produce heating element drive signals having pulse widths based upon the determined current flow intervals.