Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual operator panel for a peripheral device where the system includes a peripheral device including a processor and a data store that stores public settings corresponding to private settings of the peripheral device, each public setting indicative of at least one private setting of the peripheral device. The peripheral device has a device process and a host process, or alternately, is in bidirectional communication with at least one host computer including a data store, a display and a processor. The host computer or host process selectively transmits a request to the peripheral device or device process requesting public settings of the peripheral device for the generation of a virtual operator panel for the peripheral device.

Abstract: An extensible user interface architecture is disclosed. The interface operates by storing user interface information in a display database, preferably part of a directory services database. The data to be displayed, preferably directory objects, are bound to the display information in the display database. The user interface application retrieves display information from the display database based on the object to be displayed. The display information for an object is contained in a display specifier, which contains pointers to software modules. After retrieving the display specifier, the user interface application parses out the software module pointers, which are then executed to display aspects of the data to be displayed. As a result, the user interface can be extended by changing the information, i.e., software pointers, contained in the display specifier.

Abstract: In a menu display apparatus, when a user selects a desirable item from a large number of items displayed in a drawing unit image on a display screen, the user can have such a feeling that the user actually uses a storage cabinet.

Abstract: A display screen switch is disposed above a liquid-crystal display (16) that includes a display screen (16a) and is capable of displaying on the display screen (16a) an image that indicates various information comprising switch information. The switch includes a casing (22) disposed above the display screen (16a) and having a circuit. The casing (22) includes a plate-like casing body (25) disposed on the display screen (16a), and a transparent window portion (26) formed to penetrate the casing body (25) from a surface side to a reverse side thereof. The switch further includes a switch body (23) disposed on the casing body (25), the switch body (23) being connected to the circuit, and a transparent operation plate (24) disposed above the surface side of the casing body (25), the transparent operation plate (24) being depressed so as to operate the switch body (23).

Abstract: An ink drop ejecting printhead includes a substrate having an ink drop emitting opening; a heater on the substrate surrounding the opening; and an ink supply communicating with the opening to supply ink, whose surface tension decreases inversely with its temperature, to the opening under positive pressure relative to ambient. A variable-energy electrical power supply connected to the heater, whereby application of an electrical pulse of sufficient energy to the heater will cause separation of an associated ink drop from the ink supply. A power supply control is adapted to regulate the energy of electrical pulses applied to the heater from the power supply, whereby the volumes of separated ink drops are proportional to the energy of the associated electrical pulses.

Abstract: Adjustment of correction data for the respective LEDs at the end of manufacture of a print head is performed by transferring provisional correction data from a manufacturing device to an LED driver, directly, i.e., without once being stored in a storage circuit 10c in the print head, and measuring the amounts of light from the LEDs and varying the correction data, and repeating such an operation until the correction data is optimized. The optimized correction data as well as the strobe time data determined from the measured average power are written in the storage circuit 10c. During use of the printer, the data stored in the storage circuit 10c is used for correction of the data and determination of the strobe time.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation circuit is provided with a signal generating circuit generating a reference clock signal and a predetermined signal which is approximately inversely proportional to a digital data input signal, a delay quantity generating circuit delaying the reference clock signal by a desired phase delay to output a pulse signal, based on the predetermined signal from the signal generating circuit, a delay quantity controller controlling a delay quantity of the delay quantity generating circuit, and a modulated signal generator generating a modulated signal which is pulse-width-modulated based on the pulse signal from the delay quantity generating circuit and the reference clock signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for merging real and virtual images in which points in three dimensions of an actual scene are obtained and selected in a random fashion and in a number sufficient to track the movement of the three dimensional scene relative to an observer wearing the apparatus. Updating of selected points occurs responsive to movement of a video camera pair observing the actual scene. The position and orientation of the unit housing the video camera pair is utilized to properly merge a generated virtual image with the real image. Selection of points and orientation of the unit relative to a three dimensional real image are obtained in real time. Microprocessor-based apparatus is utilized to perform the method of the invention.

Abstract: A video signal output arrangement for auto-printer generally includes a converter having an image pickup device and a video signal processor unit both functioning to convert an image on photographic film to a corresponding video signal, an interface serving to branch this video signal, and an output terminal to provide the video signal to the exterior of the auto-printer. The video signal output arrangement allows an image on the photographic film to be displayed on an external monitor or to be recorded on an external recording device and is electrically connectable to a communication line. A path of light rays extending from the photographic film, through which the light rays have been transmitted, to photosensitive material is branched so as to be directed to a photometric device 56, on one hand, and to an image pickup device 58, on the other hand.

Abstract: A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from output of the image capture device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of image capture devices may be provided and the display system displays a unitary image synthesized from outputs of the image capture devices which approximates a rearward-facing view from a single location, such as forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus, by forming a signal processing unit which processes a signal from an image sensing unit on an expansion board of a computer or a PCMCIA card, it is possible to easily control the image sensing unit, process a signal from the computer, and by taking an image signal into an image processing unit immediately, reduces deterioration of the signal. Further, the image sensing unit is separated from the signal processing unit, and data specific to the image sensing unit is processed by the signal processing unit, thereby various types of image sensing units can be controlled.

Abstract: An image sensor has multiple light shields of conductive material, the light shields being formed with respective openings. A matrix array of unit cells are formed on a semiconductor body so that they respectively correspond to the light shields. Each unit cell includes a photosensitive region for receiving imagewise radiation through the opening of the corresponding light shield for producing photo-generated electrons, a floating diffusion region, and a transfer gate for transferring the photo-generated electrons from the photosensitive region to the floating diffusion region. An amplifying transistor is provided having a controlling terminal connected to the floating diffusion region for amplifying a potential developed in the floating diffusion region and a controlled terminal connected to the corresponding light shield. As a result, each light shield is biased at a potential that substantially varies with the potential of the floating diffusion region.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for generating variable-length timing signals in an electronic imaging device. A digital camera device includes an electronic image sensor which requires a complex set of timing signals to effectively capture image data. The digital camera therefore also includes timing generation circuitry which generates a set of precise timing signals for a variable-length frame time necessary to control and synchronize the electronic image sensor within the digital camera. The present invention includes a transfer substrate charge (Xsub) source circuit and a frame time source circuit, each containing a downcounter. The point in time when the downcounters reach zero is available as a precise and programmable timing reference. Both the Xsub time and frame time source circuits are loaded from registers under software control.

Abstract: There is provided an optical apparatus which has excellent assembly performance, can suppress an increase in cost, and attain a decrease in thickness. The optical apparatus includes a board (1) having a photographing optical system and a mechanical system mounted on its surface. A plurality of opening portions (1a, 1b, 1c) are formed in the board (1). The opening portion (1a) is sealed with a sealing member such as a glass member to allow a light beam to pass and prevent dust and the like from entering the storage space for parts between the board (1) and a shield case (49). The photographing optical system mounted on the board (1) includes a stop unit (30) for adjusting the light amount of an object image guided through the opening portion (1a), and prism-like optical members (G1, G2, G3, G4), each consisting of, e.g., a glass or plastic material and having a sculptured surface as a reflecting surface.

Abstract: When dynamic image signals from a plurality of dynamic image signal sources are simultaneously received by a plurality of receivers, a dynamic image signal to be transmitted is transmitted while being divided into one or a plurality of partial dynamic image signals. In each of the plurality of dynamic image output devices, a desired number of received partial dynamic image signals are displayed in a desired size, thereby preventing a decrease in transmission efficiency caused by transmission of a large amount of dynamic image information exceeding the capacity of a transmission path.

Abstract: A video display deflection circuit includes a source of a video signal for displaying picture information contained in the video signal in a screen of a cathode ray tube. The video signal on-provides selectively an on-screen-display information and a non-screen-display information. A source of a first control signal has a first value, when the video signal provides on-screen-display information and a second value, when said video signal provides non- on-screen-display information. A comb filter responsive to the first control signal has selectively a first delay element, when the first control signal is at the first value and a second delay element, when the first control signal is at the second value. The filter selectively establishes, in accordance with the first value, a first frequency response characteristic and, in accordance with the second value, a second frequency response characteristic.

Abstract: A brevity signaling module for a digital television (DTV) receiver enables the reception of emergency broadcast messages. The overlay signal received at the receiver front end is squared in a squaring loop, producing spectral lines at DC and twice the overlay signal frequency, or 2&ohgr;, where &ohgr;=2&pgr;f and f is the center frequency of the overlay signal. The squared signal is passed through a narrow band filter having a bandwidth sufficient to pass a spectrum containing a plurality of tones 2&ohgr;, 2&ohgr;1, 2&ohgr;2, . . . , 2&ohgr;n, where 2&ohgr;1, 22, . . . , 2&ohgr;n are different frequency tones assigned to different auxiliary functions. The detected tone is used by a control module to determine whether normal multipath processing should be performed or whether this processing should be suppressed and auxiliary functions performed, including turning on the DTV receiver power in order that an emergency broadcast message might be conveyed to persons in the vicinity of the DTV receiver.

Abstract: An electronic appliance remote controller which includes a display screen (which may be part of the appliance, e.g. a TV screen) for displaying icons representing possible operations of the electronic appliance, and a motion detector circuit for detecting a motion within a field of view of the motion detector circuit. The motion detector circuit either detects an image of the user's hand or a predetermined motion of a moving hand within the field of view as an indication that a remote control operation is to be started and, thereafter, tracks the movement of the hand. The motion detector circuit outputs a cursor control signal representative of the motion of the hand. A control circuit, connected to the display screen, the electronic appliance, and the motion detector circuit and supplied with the cursor control signal, controls the display screen to display a movable visual indicator, e.g.

Abstract: A Circuit for conditioning sync signals for devices for the line-by-line Display of video signals includes, a first input for horizontal sync signals (H1sync, H2sync), a second input for vertical sync signals (Vsync), and a delay stage. The delay stage outputs a signal (Vshift) which is delayed relative to the vertical sync signal (Vsync) by a specific delay time (reg). The circuit determines the timing of the horizontal sync signals (H1sync, H2sync) relative to the vertical sync signal (Vsync) and/or relative to the delayed signal (Vshift). The delay stage is designed in such a way that the delay time (reg) is adjustable.

Abstract: An x-ray protection circuit for a video processor, to disable a horizontal output pulse when a voltage level on the x-ray input exceeds a reference voltage. The x-ray protection circuit comprises a comparator and a bistable device, and incorporates a reset circuit. The reset circuit enables the initialisation of the protection circuit whilst the power is switched on.

Abstract: A panel light source device includes a light source, a light guide plate for guiding and diffusing light from the light source, and a frame for housing the light guide plate. The frame has a convexity inside thereof and the light guide plate has a concavity on a side or lower surface thereof. The convexity and the concavity are engaged with each other, and the light guide plate is provided in the frame so as to cover at least a part of an upper surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A color, high-throughput, ferroelectric liquid crystal-based light valve comprising a light input, a light output, a beam splitter, a color separator, reflective spatial light modulators, and a switchable half-wave plate. Light polarized parallel to a first direction is received through the light input. Light from the light input and reflected by the spatial light modulators is output from the light output. The reflective spatial light modulators are structured as a quarter-wave plates and each has a principal axis that switches through an angle &phgr;. The beam splitter has orthogonal directions of maximum transmissivity and maximum reflectivity, one of which is parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device capable of displaying uniformly four colors of white, red, blue and green with high purity by multiplex driving is provided. In a system for effecting a multi-color display using a same display unit and utilizing retardation, at least one color polarizer is used between a pair of polarizers, which indicates a specified range wherein the polarizing efficiency of red or blue is relatively lower than that of green.

Abstract: In a horizontal electric field drive type liquid crystal electro-optic device wherein a liquid crystal material is driven by controlling the strength of an electric field parallel to a substrate, noncontinuity of the electric field strength around each pixel electrode is minimized and thereby the occurrence of flaws in the orientation of the liquid crystal material and dispersion in operation are reduced and a construction having improved display characteristics and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. In a horizontal electric field drive type liquid crystal electro-optic device wherein a gate electrode 403, a source electrode 407, a drain electrode 408, a semiconductor film 406 and a common electrode 404 are formed on a glass substrate and a liquid crystal material is driven by controlling the strength of an electric field substantially parallel to the glass substrate, the electrodes and the semiconductor film are made curved, for example semi-circular or semi-elliptical, in sectional profile.

Abstract: The invention teaches a method of forming an improved liquid-crystal-on-silicon display. The device structure is enhanced by the creation of silicon nitride alignment posts using methods of photolithography, the alignment posts are located among the pixels of the microdisplay.

Abstract: A connection assembly (50) to electrically couple a transparent plate (24) of a liquid crystal display device (51) to an operating subsystem. The connection assembly (50) includes an elongated flexible tape member (52) having an elongated metallic circuit (53) which further includes a main circuit portion (55) fixedly mounted to the tape member (52), and a lead terminal (56). This terminal (56) includes a contact portion (57) adapted to electrically couple to the transparent plate (24), and a substantially flexible and movable conductive joint portion (58). The contact portion (57) and the conductive joint portion (58) electrically couple the transparent plate (24) to the circuit portion (55) of the metallic circuit (53) in a manner substantially minimizing residual stresses formed from the electrical coupling between the transparent plate (24) and the circuit portion (55).

Abstract: An in-line operation for manufacturing liquid crystal displays. First, a liquid crystal cell is pulled out from a first stocking region and placed inside a processing station by a loader. The liquid crystal cell is shunt, beveled and corner-cut by a shunt and bevel unit inside the processing station. The liquid crystal cell is next transferred directly to a brush-washing unit for cleaning. After cleaning, the semi-finished product is directly transferred from a linked stocking region to an affixing unit for attaching a polarizer onto the liquid crystal cell. The semi-finished product is transferred to a second stocking region by an unloader. Sample inspection can be carried out when the semi-finished product is still within the linked stocking region.

Abstract: Optimization apparatus for photographic image data with a data input device for input of first image data which are present in a first color space and represent a photographic image or a set of photographic images, an optimization device for optimizing the first image data and a data output device for output of the optimized first image data which optimally represent the photographic image or the set of photographic images, whereby the optimization device carries out an optimization transformation on the first image data, whereby the optimization transformation corresponds to a combination of at least the following transformations: a first transformation which transforms the first image data from the first color space into another, second color space; a correction transformation, which corrects the transformed first image data in the second color space; and a second transformation which transforms the corrected first image data into a third color space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for exposing a digital image onto light-sensitive material. Prior to exposure, the digital image is split into n partial digital images (n≧2) whose data is passed on to a control unit. According to the data, this unit controls n reflective light modulators that can be controlled pixel by pixel such that n partial images are generated at these light modulators that are illuminated by an illumination unit. The partial images are reproduced onto the light-sensitive material using an objective. In order to join the partial images into a total image, a prism or beam splitter complex is designed and arranged between the illumination unit, light modulators and reproducing objective such that both the illumination and the reproducing beam paths pass through it.

Abstract: A method for facilitating alignment measurements in a semiconductor fabrication process that uses a combination of underlying and latent images on a substrate to indicate alignment between a lithographic mask and the substrate. In an example embodiment of the method for measuring alignment, a substrate has a layer of photoresist disposed on it is illuminated through a reticle element resulting in the formation of a first plurality of underlying grating images. The first plurality of images has a repetitive and symmetrical pattern with equal spacing between images. A second plurality of latent grating images is formed in the photoresist having substantially the same pattern of images as the first plurality of images. The second plurality of images is disposed above from the first plurality of images, the first and second plurality of images serving as an indicator of alignment between the mask and the substrate when the combined images forming a repetitive pattern.

Abstract: A condensation nucleus counter (CNC) device implemented with a multi-directional fluid flow system is configured in a compact, conical geometry. A saturation region includes an inlet that delivers into an annular pool a sample stream of air containing small-diameter particles. The stream of air flows out and expands radially from the inlet and mixes with a working vapor to become saturated in the saturation region. The saturated fluid mixture then flows to a condensation region defined by spaced-apart inner and outer radially converging walls having a conical geometry, thereby forming an annular flow volume of decreasing cross sectional area in the direction of fluid flow to the outlet of the CNC device. The working vapor condenses on the small-diameter particles to enlarge their sizes with less tendency to condense on the inner walls of the condensation region.

Abstract: An inspection system for performing a test selected from the group consisting of field of view, angle of view, distortion, image quality, depth of field, illumination system transmission efficiency, illumination profile, relative transmission of imaging system and centering error of a rigid, rod lens endoscope. The inspection system includes a testing station supporting a plurality of targets for measuring an optical performance of the endoscope, and a controller controllably displacing the testing station linearly toward and away from the endoscope and rotating the testing station at a nominal angle of view of the endoscope about a first axis and rotating the targets about a second axis parallel to the first axis to selectively displace each of the targets into the field of view of the endoscope.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for a spherical surface inspection system comprising a controller having software, an optical sensor connected to the controller, and an inspection device disposed adjacent to the optical sensor, and connected to the controller. The inspection device is for retaining and rotating the spherical-shaped object along a first axis to allow the optical sensor to convey an image of a portion of the surface of the spherical-shaped object to the controller. The inspection device also rotates the spherical-shaped object along a second axis to convey an image of more of the surface of the spherical-shaped object to the controller.

Abstract: An alignment system and method for a wafer stage. A chopper is used. A wafer stage is disposed at one side of the chopper, while a detector is disposed at the other side of the chopper. The chopper is rotating with a constant angular frequency. The detector is to detect the wafer stage, while the wafer stage is covered by the blade of the chopper, the measured signal is zero, while the wafer stage is not covered by the bladed and is detected by the detector, a signal is obtained. Therefore, a duty cycle and a phase can be read from the detector. Thus, with a constant rotating angular frequency, an actual position of the measured object can be obtained to align the wafer stage.

Abstract: A method for the substantially complete detection of all particles, within a predetermined size range, contained in an injectable solution comprising the steps of: a) pre-positioning particles in the container whereby rotation of the container causes substantially all of the particles in the injectable solution in the container to rotate in a shell volume adjacent the inner walls of the container, with said shell volume having a predetermined thickness; b) illuminating all the particles rotating within the shell volume with light; and c) detecting at least one of light scatter, light reflection and light extinction caused by said particles, with detectors having a depth of focus of detection in opposite volumes of the shell along a cross sectional diameter of the container perpendicular to the sensing array.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for determining the properties of a material web. The apparatus includes at least one radiation source, and at least one detection device adapted to detect radiation emitted from the at least one radiation source that at least one of penetrates and is reflected by the material web. The detection device can include at least one detection area unevenly divided into a plurality of individual sensors. Further, the material web can be a paper web. The invention relates to a device and a process for determining the properties of a material web, particularly a paper web, having at least one radiation source and at least one detection device for radiation that is emitted by the radiation source and that penetrates and/or is reflected by the material web, said detection device having at least one detection area unevenly divided into a large number of individual sensors.

Abstract: A device, by which an unadulterated visibility range can be determined that is independent of the scattering-medium characteristics, determines according to the LIDAR principle the instantaneous visibility range from backscatter light reflected in the scattering medium in front of a vehicle. An evaluation unit is also provided which normalizes a plurality of backscatter measuring curves recorded in succession over time. It forms an average measuring curve from the normalized measuring curves, and derives from at least one measured value of the averaged measuring curve, a visibility range which is independent of the backscattering characteristics of the scattering medium. Using this visibility range thus ascertained, an adaptive compensation of the instantaneously ascertained visibility range is carried out in the evaluation unit.

Abstract: Procedure for taking a reference measurement employing an optical device which comprises the following: an illuminating means having a source of radiation, its light being directed at a predetermined angle to a surface to be measured; a first optical measuring means which is aligned at a predetermined angle to said measurement surface and which receives a portion of the light reflected from said measurement surface and which comprises a photo sensor which emits a measurement signal characteristic of said reflected light; a second optical measuring means which is aligned at a predetermined angle to said measurement surface and which receives a portion of the light reflected from said measurement surface and which comprises a photo sensor which emits an electrical measurement signal characteristic of said reflected light; a control and evaluation means having a processor and memory means for controlling the measurement sequence and evaluating the measurement results which are then output via an output means.

Abstract: A pattern reading apparatus includes a minute-area light source positioned such that an illumination light beam is incident on an object surface having a pattern formed thereon as an object to be read without passing through a lens. An objective lens converges a light beam having information of the pattern. A spatial filter has a shading region that shades a portion of the light beam having passed through the objective lens, the portion forming an image of the light source. An imaging element reads an image of the pattern formed by the light beam having passed through the spatial filter.

Abstract: An optical system (10) for correcting wavefront aberrations of an optical beam (12). The beam (12) is received by an entrance pupil (14), where a portion of the beam (12) at the entrance pupil (14) is coupled off of the main beam (12) to be used as a reference beam (22). The reference beam (22) is taken from a small enough portion of the main beam (12) so that the temporal coherence of the reference beam wavefront is substantially in phase. The reference beam (22) is amplified by a coherent reference amplifier (24), expanded and collimated. The main beam (12) and the collimated beam (28) are applied to a beam splitter (16) that splits the main beam (12) and the reference beam (22) into two separate beam paths, where the main beam (12) and the reference beam (22) traveling along a common path are coupled together. One optical path from the beam splitter (16) is applied to a detector array (32) and the other optical path from the beam splitter (16) is applied to a light valve (40).

Abstract: An actuating motion detection device for a mechanically actuated gyrolaser including at least one fastening ring coaxial with an actuation axis of the gyrolaser. The fastening ring includes a hub held at a center of a rim by radial flexible strips distributed about the hub, and the radial flexible strips are configured to act as springs and to vibrate under an actuating motion. The motion detecting device includes torsion detectors having a pair of piezoelectric plates disposed at a radial position along one radial flexible strip. The piezoelectric plates have respective remanent magnetic fields aligned in opposite directions, and each piezoelectric plate has two electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the piezoelectric plate with one of the two electrodes contacting the radial flexible strip. The electrodes are connected to a common output.

Abstract: A fiber optic monitor that utilizes optical phase interferometry to monitor a patient's vital signs such as respiration, cardiac activity and body's physical movement. The monitor, which is non-invasive, comprises an optical fiber interferometer that includes an optical fiber proximately situated to the patient so that acousto-mechanical signals from the patient are coupled into the optical fiber. Responsive thereto, the interferometer generates a time-varying serial train of fringes which is detected by a photo-detector. A signal processor coupled to the optical detector provides one or more processed output signals indicative of the vital functions. The monitor system has broad applicability, from routine monitoring of infants at home to apnea, arrhythmia and trauma situations.

Abstract: The degree of accuracy a machine tool or the like is moved along a given path is determined by a unique preferably laser beam directing measuring system directing simultaneously or in sequence a laser beam parallel to the orthogonal axes of the two or three dimensional space in which the spindle or other object is to be moved in a path which can diverge appreciably in directions other than the directions of these axes. The beam directing means includes means which provides a measure of the actual positions the object has at various sampling times relative to the axis along which the beam is directed. This actual path position data is compared to the desired path position data used to program the object moving machine to determine the path position error at the sampling times involved.

Abstract: A proximity detector for detecting the position of a magnetic target having a transceiver module with a light emitting source, an optical detector, and a 2×2 optical coupler joining the light emitting source and optical detector is provided. A sensor having an outer case houses a collimating lens, a polarizer, a Faraday material, and a mirror. A multi-mode optical fiber connects the transceiver module to the sensor. Preferably, the proximity detector detects the position of the magnetic target, which is substantially axially spaced from the sensor, using a single polarizer aligned with a single Faraday material. Preferably, the Faraday material comprises an iron garnet material, and most preferably a bismuth iron garnet material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for printing and validating a document, such as a ticket or voucher printed on a substrate such as paper. After the document is printed, at least a portion thereof is read to test a validity criteria. The document is dispensed to a recipient if the validity criteria is met. If the validity criteria is not met after the first read, the document can optionally be re-read. If the validity criteria is never met, the document is voided. The voided document is then dispensed to the recipient and a replacement document is immediately printed, read for validation purposes and dispensed. If the replacement document is not valid, it is voided prior to dispensing. Assistance from a machine attendant is required only in the event that a predetermined number of invalid print/read/validate cycles occur.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for routing print jobs to one of a plurality of printers or print queues, such as a logical print queue. After providing a print job, a set of printers capable of printing the print job is determined. The set of printers is queried to determine status information thereon. A criterion is then applied to the status information for the set of printers to determine a subset of printers. The determined subset is dependent upon the determined status information. A printer is selected from the subset and the print job is routed to the selected printer.

Abstract: In addition to functioning as a conventional printer, a printer system responds to triggering strings of characters within incoming pages of data by calling upon a meta-command interpreter to execute meta-commands such as “#if . . . #endif,” “#for . . . #next,” and “#mid . . . ” embedded within templates containing data and print commands which describe families of documents or reports. The incoming pages can be stripped of their printer control codes and can be then used as rectangular arrays of characters which control the customization and reduction of the templates into one or more customized documents or reports containing data extracted from the incoming pages inserted at points marked by the “#mid” meta-command and similar meta-commands.

Abstract: An image read part reads documents and stores the image data thereof in a memory card. Reduced image creating device creates reduced image data according to stored image data. The reduced images are displayed as an icon on display of an operation panel by using the reduced image data. One of the icons displayed on the display is selected a using pointing device, the image data corresponding to the selected icon is read from the memory card and an image is printed out.

Abstract: A character image layout method lays out n lines (2≦n≦m) out of m lines of character string images (m≧2) through any of uniform layout processing, left end alignment processing, right end alignment processing, center alignment processing, scale-up processing and scale-down processing. The character image layout method includes a reference line-selecting process for selecting a desired one of n lines of character string images as a reference line and an other line layout process for determining the range of the length of a character string image on the reference line as a layout range to lay out each character string image on each of other lines, within the layout range. In the other line layout process, when the length of a character string image on any of the n lines to be laid out is longer than that of the layout range, the any of the n lines to be laid out is reduced in size through the scale-down processing and laid out in the layout range.

Abstract: A method for the conversion of grayscale images with a non-white background into halftone images is disclosed. The illustrated embodiment of the present invention addresses the difficulties current conversion methods have in converting multi-bit grayscale images with a non-white background into single bit halftone images. Through manipulation of the grayscale image data, the edges of text and line art features in the grayscale image data are located and extracted from the non-white background through the use of a weight driven conversion algorithm resulting in more defined halftone images.