Abstract: A control device for controlling a use of control object apparatus, including a control section which is configured to read out information recorded in an IC card with noncontact state, to discriminates an attribute of a user based on readout information and previously stored information, and to switch between an authentication mode and a billing mode in accordance with the attribute of the user, wherein in the authentication mode, the control section permits the use of the control object apparatus only with an authentication, and in the billing mode, the control section executes a billing processing on the IC card in accordance with a use state of the control object apparatus.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a use of control object apparatus, including a control section which is configured to read out information recorded in an IC card with noncontact state, to discriminates an attribute of a user based on readout information and previously stored information, and to switch between an authentication mode and a billing mode in accordance with the attribute of the user, wherein in the authentication mode, the control section permits the use of the control object apparatus only with an authentication, and in the billing mode, the control section executes a billing processing on the IC card in accordance with a use state of the control object apparatus.

Abstract: Image data are obtained from a recording medium, and dummy image data are generated based on the obtained image data. It is possible to switch between image displayed based on the generated dummy image data, and image data directly displayed based on the obtained image data. As a result, the dummy image may be displayed when a third party is near. Furthermore, the displayed dummy image can be used for editing, and the edited image may be printed.

Abstract: An apparatus synthesizes a first image and a second image to obtain a synthesized image. The apparatus has a storage device and a processor. The storage device stores image data and attribute data for the image data such as data concerning a main light source and an auxiliary light source for the synthesized image, an anteroposterior positional relationship between the first and second images in the synthesized image, etc. The processor image-processes the first and second images on the basis of the attribute data to synthesize these images.

Abstract: In a thermal printer, the print mode that has been set by the user is judged at the start of printing. When the high-speed print mode is set, the standard deviation &sgr; of the original image data is calculated. According to the standard deviation &sgr;, it is judged whether the densities are evenly distributed. When the densities are evenly distributed, a gradation conversion characteristic is selected for converting the gradation in the entire density range only by decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image. When the densities are intensively concentrated in a specific density range, it is further judged whether the specific density range is the low, middle, or high density range. According to the judgement, the gradation values of input data are converted using a gradation conversion characteristic for decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image and accurately reproducing the gradation in the specific density range.

Abstract: In a thermal printer, the print mode that has been set by the user is judged at the start of printing. When the high-speed print mode is set, the standard deviation &sgr; of the original image data is calculated. According to the standard deviation &sgr;, it is judged whether the densities are evenly distributed. When the densities are evenly distributed, a gradation conversion characteristic is selected for converting the gradation in the entire density range only by decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image. When the densities are intensively concentrated in a specific density range, it is further judged whether the specific density range is the low, middle, or high density range. According to the judgement, the gradation values of input data are converted using a gradation conversion characteristic for decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image and accurately reproducing the gradation in the specific density range.