Abstract: A printer and a digital camera are connected so as to be capable of communicating with each other. The printer transmits information indicative of its capabilities to the digital camera and the digital camera incorporates the transmitted printer capability information in a print settings menu. The capability information has information relating to the printer capabilities and information indicative of a default setting. The capabilities of the printer are incorporated in the print settings menu together with the default setting. A desired printing condition can be set selectively at the digital camera using the print settings menu in which the capability information has been incorporated.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is equipped with multiple interfaces adapted to connect external devices adapted to store image data and operated by power supplied from a first-connected external device, and is adapted to print images stored in the external devices. The state of the connection of the external devices to the plurality of interfaces is detected and, when it is determined that a plurality of external devices are connected to the printing apparatus, a determination is made as to whether or not an amount of power required by the plurality of external devices exceeds the amount of power the printing apparatus is capable of supplying. If the amount of power requested exceeds capacity, then the apparatus selects which external device to supply with power depending on the operating state of the first-connected external device.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to receive image data from image sensing apparatuses of various manufacturers and to print a high-quality image by making image data transfer and a printing instruction, which are independent from interfaces. Since an image sensing apparatus such as a digital camera or the like calculates image feature amounts, and transfers the calculation result to a printing apparatus, huge image data need not be transferred from the image sensing apparatus to the printing apparatus again and again, and a high-quality image can be output. Upon printing image data transmitted from a digital camera (DSC) (3012) to a PD printer (1000), after a protocol is established by applications (NCDP) installed in the PD printer and DSC, the PD printer transmits its Capability list to the DSC. The DSC calculates an image feature amount of a selected image to be printed, and transmits the calculation result to the PD printer.

Abstract: A print-direct printer for receiving and printing JPEG data from a DSC divides the area of a memory into a plurality of blocks, stores the received JPEG data in the memory on a block-by-block basis and decompresses the compressed JPEG data that has been stored in the memory, thereby expanding the JPEG data into image data. If it is determined that JPEG data to be expanded next has not been stored in the memory, then the DSC is requested for JPEG data corresponding to at least one block, in an amount that is less than the maximum amount of data transferable from the DSC, in addition to the JPEG data to be expanded.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprising a power unit, a first control unit and a second control unit in which power supply is controlled based on a control signal from the first control unit, wherein when electric power supply from the power supply unit has been stopped and then the electric power supply from the power supply unit has been started, if update of a memory of the first control unit has been instructed, the first control unit transfers the content of a flash ROM in the first control unit into the memory thus updates the content of the memory. At this time, the second control unit is kept in a power-off status by a control signal line until the update of the memory is completed. After the completion of the update, power-on is notified by the control signal line, and the reset status of the second control unit is released.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus and its control method for printing an image based on image data from an image data source. In a case where a correction condition is set for the image data, if the image data is a new format file image data including predetermined information, correction processing is performed in accordance with the set correction condition. If the image data is not a new format file image data, the correction processing in accordance with the correction condition is not performed.

Abstract: A CPU generates a mask pattern by generating patterns corresponding to a predetermined number of times in the sub-scanning direction in accordance with the number of printing elements of a printhead which corresponds to the amount by which scanning is performed once in the sub-scanning direction, and repeating this operation by the number of times corresponding to a predetermined number of columns. The generated mask pattern is stored in an RAM. An image is then printed by using image data and the mask pattern stored in the RAM for each printing timing signal in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for outputting the excitation signal of a stepper motor to drive the stepper motor includes a unit for specifying the driving current of the motor, and a determination unit for determining the driving mode of the stepper motor. Driving modes include at least an acceleration mode and a deceleration mode. The motor control apparatus further includes a unit for specifying a driving current according to each driving mode, and a unit for suppressing the driving current near the start of the acceleration mode and near the end of the deceleration mode. The motor control apparatus drives the stepper motor at a high speed in a low noise with a low cost, and prevents wasteful motor heating.

Abstract: A system for scheduling cleaning of an ink jet print head loaded in an ink jet printer. The system includes receiving real time/date information from an external source, storing the real time/date information in a volatile memory, storing, in a non-volatile memory, a last cleaning time for at least one print head in the ink jet printer, calculating an elapsed time by subtracting the stored real time/date information from the stored last cleaning time, comparing the calculated elapsed time to a predetermined elapsed time, and controlling the at least one print head to perform a cleaning process in the case the calculated elapsed time is greater than the predetermined elapsed time and storing, in the non-volatile memory, a latest last time for cleaning the at least one print head.

Abstract: A present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus comprising an ink replenishing system which prevents ink leakage when a power supply from a main power source is cut off due to a power failure or the like while an ink reserving section of a print head of the ink jet printing apparatus is replenished with ink. The ink replenishing system is capable of properly managing the amount of ink in the ink reserving section. In the ink jet printing apparatus, when a power supply from a main power source is cut off after the start of an ink replenishing operation, power is supplied from a secondary power source so that ink replenishing control is executed depending on the power state of the secondary power source. If the ink replenishing operation has not been completed, after the main power source is recovered, the ink replenishing operation is performed again.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing control system in which a host computer and a printer are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The printer stores color-conversion information, which is model-specific information, and a control command in a ROM and, in response to a command from the host computer, transmits the stored color-conversion information to the host computer. Using the color-conversion information and control command, the host computer sets the parameters of a printer driver, creates a command and transmits generated print data to the printer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing control system in which a host computer and a printer are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The printer stores model-specific parameter information, which is control information, in a ROM and, in response to a command from the host computer, transmits the stored model-specific parameters to the host computer to store the parameters in a memory of the host computer. Using the model-specific parameters stored in the memory, the host computer changes the parameters of a printer driver to thereby control printing performed by the printer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing system in which a high-order apparatus and a low-order apparatus are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communicating. The low-order apparatus stores control command information of the low-order apparatus in a ROM and, in response to a request from the high-order apparatus, transmits the control command information to the high-order apparatus to store the information in a memory of the high-order apparatus. Using the control command information corresponding to the low-order apparatus stored in the memory, the high-order apparatus transmits print data to the low-order apparatus and controls the operation of the low-order apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing system in which a host computer and a printer are connected so as to be capable of communicating in both directions. Model-specific information, which is information relating to number of tones of image data handled by the printer, is stored in the printer in advance. Stored model-specific parameters and a control command are transmitted to the host computer in response to a command from the host computer. The host computer uses the model-specific parameters of the printer and the control command to process image data that is output to the printer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which quickly cancels a print job without any influence on the subsequent other print jobs when a print cancel instruction is issued. During printing, if a print cancel instruction is inputted from a printer operation unit 107, a printer function manager 109 notifies a print command interpreter 108 of the cancellation. The print command interpreter 108 searches data processed at that time in a transmission/reception buffer for an end mark command indicating the end of the cancelled job. Then the print command interpreter 108 deletes the data before the end mark command.

Abstract: A cartridge receptacle is mounted on a carriage for releasably receiving a cartridge having a print head and at least one removable ink reservoir. The receptacle includes a pivoting lever which permits removal of the at least one ink reservoir. The lever extends over at least a portion of the at least one ink reservoir so as to prevent access to the at least one ink reservoir until such time as the lever is pivoted away from the at least one ink reservoir. When the lever is pivoted away from the at least one ink reservoir, and then the lever is pivoted over the at least a portion of the at least one ink reservoir, a signal is output which prompts cleaning of the print head.

Abstract: A present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus comprising an ink replenishing system which prevents ink leakage when a power supply from a main power source is cut off due to a power failure or the like while an ink reserving section of a print head of the ink jet printing apparatus is replenished with ink. The ink replenishing system is capable of properly managing the amount of ink in the ink reserving section. In the ink jet printing apparatus, when a power supply from a main power source is cut off after the start of an ink replenishing operation, power is supplied from a secondary power source so that ink replenishing control is executed depending on the power state of the secondary power source. If the ink replenishing operation has not been completed, after the main power source is recovered, the ink replenishing operation is performed again.

Abstract: A color printer driver binarizes continuous tone color print data stored in raster form and stores the binarized data directly into column form, without the intermediary of storage in horizontal raster form, for printout by a print engine having vertically-arranged print elements.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing system which is built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, and which allows easy device connection and has high convenience. In this system, the device connected to the system has a communication controller (11) for controlling a communication between the host device and the device, a card interface (31) for connecting a card device, a card controller (30, 40) for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to the card interface, a communication unit (2, 3) for sharing device information between the host device and the card device via the card controller and the communication controller, and a controller (10) for allowing another device connected via the card device to use information shared by the communication unit.

Abstract: A system for scheduling cleaning of an ink jet print head loaded in an ink jet printer. The method includes the steps of receiving real time/date information from an external source, storing the real time/date information in a volatile memory, storing, in a non-volatile memory, a last cleaning time for at least one print head in the ink jet printer, calculating an elapsed time by subtracting the stored real time/date information from the stored last cleaning time, comparing the calculated elapsed time to a predetermined elapsed time, and controlling the at least one print head to perform a cleaning process in the case the calculated elapsed time is greater than the predetermined elapsed time and storing, in the non-volatile memory, a latest last time for cleaning the at least one print head.