Abstract: Various embodiments and methods related to a printer are disclosed.

Abstract: Interpolation data for a missing pixel are obtained (4) after a correction (3) for variations in the characteristics of the imaging devices (8(1), 8(2)). The correction for variations in characteristics includes, for example, a black level correction (9) and a sensitivity correction (10). The interpolation includes, for example, interpolation calculations (14(1), 14(2)) such that a mean value of a plurality of pixels including the missing pixel and a mean value of a plurality of pixels not including the missing pixel become equal and an interpolation calculation (14(0)) that takes the mean of the pixels to the right and left of the missing pixel, the calculation with the least error being selected (13, 15). Thus missing pixels in highly periodic images can be properly interpolated, and interpolation can be performed with high precision even when there are variations in the sensitivity characteristics of the individual imaging devices constituting the contact image sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing and using techniques for white balancing image data while performing chromatic adaptation. A creative white point corresponding to a visual appearance of white selected for projection of image data can be obtained. A color transform for converting the image data to a device-independent color space can be obtained. A chromatic adaptation matrix can be calculated based on the creative white point and a reference white point. A color profile for white balancing of the image data can be prepared to include the color transform and the chromatic adaptation matrix.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes: an input unit configured to input color image data of multiple colors; a specified color converting unit configured to convert the input color image data of multiple colors to at least two specified colors with a color conversion table; a parameter setting unit configured to create the color conversion table and to set a parameter used for creation to be changeable; and an operation unit configured to change the parameter. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of printing a color document in two colors, the criteria for converting multiple colors to two colors can be adjusted flexibly as the user desires or prefers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention is a tandem type image forming apparatus for forming a color image and includes a bit-length converting unit configured to convert a plurality of first image data having a first bit length and provided for respective print colors into a plurality of second image data having a second bit length smaller than the first bit length in at least one of the print colors, a plurality of storage units configured to temporarily store the second image data for the respective print colors and to be capable of setting delay amounts different for the respective print colors to the second image data, a plurality of photoreceptors provided for the respective print colors and arranged at specified intervals. According to the invention, the quality of an image is kept at a specific level, and the capacity of a memory for delay adjustment of an image forming signal to each photoreceptor can be reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the invention is characterized by including: a first input unit that inputs image data having attribute information and color information; a second input unit that inputs designated attribute information and designated color information designated by a user; a limited image generating unit that generates, when attribute information of a certain area in the image data and the designated attribute information coincide with each other and color information of the area and the designated color information coincide with each other, limited image data for limiting printing of the area from the image data; and an image recording unit that prints the limited image data. According to the image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily limit printing of a specific image designated in document data without changing the document data itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color gamut contour creating device that includes a color gamut contour creating component and a color gamut contour smoothing component. The color gamut contour creating component generates color gamut contour data representing a color gamut contour of a color reproducing range in a preset color space of an output side device. The color gamut contour smoothing component generates smoothed color gamut contour data of the color gamut contour where the color gamut contour is smoothed based on the color gamut contour data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus remote monitoring system includes a center system that remotely monitors a plurality of printing apparatuses, and a plurality of monitoring mediation apparatuses that mediate communications between the plurality of printing apparatuses and the center system. The center system includes a bug countermeasure policy storage device that stores software bug information created in the printing apparatus linking with a bug countermeasure policy. The software bug information includes type of the printing apparatus, a version of firmware implemented in the printing apparatus, and abnormal information possibly caused in combination between the printing apparatus and the firmware.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image data input unit, a density variation detection unit and a position/size detection unit. The image data input unit inputs image data containing original image data obtained by reading an original. The density variation detection unit detects density variation from the image data input through the image data input unit. The position/size detection unit detects a position or a size of the original image data in the image data based on the density variation detected by the density variation detection unit.

Abstract: A processor is provided for a printer. The processor includes an address, data and control bus. An expander unit is coupled to the bus and is configured to decompress a bi-level black layer of a page to be printed. A decoder unit is coupled to the bus and is configured to decompress a contone layer of the page to be printed. A halftoner/compositor unit is coupled to the bus. The halftoner/compositor unit is configured to halftone the decompressed contone layer to form a bi-level cyan, yellow, magenta, and black (CYMK) layer and then composite the decompressed bi-level black layer over the bi-level CYMK layer to form a bi-level CYMK image of the page to be printed.

Abstract: In generating a conversion characteristic look-up table between an output device dependence color space and device independence color space, when white and black correction is performed for a colorimetric value of a sample chart output from an output device, the values of the chromaticity components of the white point of the colorimetric value are maintained even after the correction. In addition, the conversion characteristic look-up table is generated such that only a corrected white point is corrected to a reference white point so as to make the reference white point smoothly continue to other grid points.

Abstract: A source driver includes a control unit, a data selecting unit, a gamma circuit, a level shifter and a driving buffer unit. The control unit compares a frame count value with a predetermined value N, where N is a natural number larger than two, and outputs a data select signal and a driver control signal based on the comparison. The data selecting unit outputs one of input data and black data in response to the data select signal. The gamma circuit generates a grayscale voltage based on selected data from the data selecting unit and the level shifter generates a driving voltage based on the grayscale voltage. The driving buffer unit provides an output voltage based on the driving voltage to a data line of a display device in response to the driver control signal.

Abstract: A color conversion definition creation apparatus has an acquisition section that acquires a XYZ value by colorimetry for a color patch with the color represented by a representative reference lattice point out of reference lattice points each having four reference coordinate components on the K axis, among plural lattice points arranged regularly within a CMYKRG color space. The apparatus further has: a calculation section that calculates XYZ values made for other reference lattice points having the reference coordinate components, based on correspondence between the XYZ value acquired by the acquisition section and the representative reference lattice point corresponding to the XYZ value; and an interpolation section that obtains XYZ values made for other lattice points except for the reference lattice points among the above lattice points, by interpolation based on correspondence between the reference lattice points and the XYZ values corresponding to the reference lattice points.

Abstract: This invention is a method of producing a set of TRC's for a color printer's secondary halftone screens that is correlated with the printer's primary halftone screens. The method makes use of the printer/screen characteristic data that is normally gathered during screen calibration. However, instead of progressing from the data to a normal calibration for the secondary screens, the method goes backward through the data starting with the finished primary screen TRC's. The method insures that for every primary screen density, the closest possible secondary screen density is used when the same digital value is specified.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus includes a document-image acquiring section, an information-image acquiring section and a synthesizing section. The document-image acquiring section acquires a document image, which is a binary image formed based on an electronic document. The information-image acquiring section acquires an information image, which is a binary image formed based on predetermined information. The synthesizing section performs an exclusive OR operation between the document image and the information image to synthesize the document image and the information image.

Abstract: A printer is capable of simply carrying out image division printing (repeat printing), and capable of reducing the number of images that are unusable due to clipping of the image on the leading edge of the sheet. The printer has an image division printing function of forming a plurality of print images on a single sheet, and comprises: an image reading unit that reads document images; a plate making unit that makes master plates; a printing unit having a cylinder around which a master made in the plate making unit is wound, and a pressure member that presses sheets against the cylinder; and a sheet supply unit that supplies sheets to the printing unit.

Abstract: A TTR time of a reading apparatus can also be reduced by designing an apparatus to exhibit a certain timing relationship between a receipt of a trigger signal and/or more of image capture and decoding. An apparatus in one embodiment can be configured to continuously capture frames of image data prior to receipt of a trigger signal and can further be configured so that an output decoded message is decoded from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to the time of receipt of a trigger signal. An apparatus configured to output a decoded message from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to a time of receipt of a trigger signal can have a TTR time of less than a frame capture period of the apparatus.

Abstract: In an image forming system of the present invention, each of the information processing apparatuses receives an input whether print of the image forming job is to be held or executed, sets whether print of the image forming job is to be held or executed, generates a user packet, and transmits the generated user packet to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the image forming job, identifies the information processing apparatus based on identification data, updates a queue management table, determines whether or not print of the image forming job received is instructed referring to the updated queue management table, and holds print of the image forming job and sequentially prints the image forming job. According to the image forming system of the present invention, a user can continuously execute a plurality of jobs at a desired timing.

Abstract: In a data processing system in which data to be processed is managed as processing-object data, and the processing-object data is processed in response to a designation, there are provided: data management means for managing the processing-object data together with processing-object attribute information indicative of an attribute thereof; processing designation means for designating a processing with respect to the processing-object data through a dialog performed with the user; processing execution means for executing a processing of the processing-object data in response to a designation performed by the processing designation means; and first processing result forecasting means for executing, when the dialog is performed, a forecast on a result of the processing by comparing processing-subject attribute information, which indicates an attribute of a processing to be executed by the processing execution means, with the processing-object attribute information, and for outputting to the user forecast notific

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detecting device that detects an job progressing status of the image forming apparatus, a transmission device that receives from the detecting device and transmits the information of the job progressing status, and an information notifying device that receives from the transmission device and notifies a mobile phone of the job progressing status. The information notifying device is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: a user database in which user identification information for identifying an user of the image forming apparatus is registered; an operation panel for receiving a key operation input; a secure program used for determining whether a user service can be provided on the basis of the user identification information in the user database and another user identification information input by the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a code acquiring unit configured to acquire a code, an identification code storing unit configured to store an identification code for performing specific processing, an identification code judging unit configured to, when a code is acquired by the code acquiring unit, judge whether the code is an identification code stored in the identification code storing unit, and an executing unit configured to execute specific processing corresponding to the acquired identification code on the basis of the judgment by the identification code judging unit.

Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically registering a printing device with a printer manager. An agent process associated with the printer manager receives notification data from the printing device that indicates that the printing device is available to process requests for printing electronic documents. In response, the agent process generates and transmits to the printing device a request for attribute data of the printing device. The agent process receives, from the printing device, attribute data that includes one or more attribute values for one or more values of the printing device. In response, the agent process registers, based upon the attribute data, the printing device with the printer manager.

Abstract: A conditional document processor commencement system and method is provided. When a document processing device receives a document processing request, the device first determines whether a source document is present on the automatic document feeder or on the scanner device. A scan operation is initiated to detect the presence or absence of a source document. When no such source document is present, a visible alert is generated on an associated user-interface, illustrating to the user the absence of a source document. The user is then prompted to provide a source document to the document processing device. A second scan operation occurs and when the source document is present, the requested document processing operation is completed.

Abstract: A system and method for selective rerouting of document processing jobs is provided. A printer driver first converts electronic document data is into a device compatible format and assigned a unique document ID. The printer driver then determines a set of network devices, such as document processing devices, that are participating in the performance of received document processing jobs. The converted document data is then divided into portions and one or more portions are then sent to each of the participating network devices. One of the devices is then selected as the output device, whereupon the output device broadcasts/multicasts a request for processed data portions from each of the other network devices. The received portions are then recombined, and released for further processing in accordance with the received document processing job.

Abstract: A print system comprises a bookbinding unit that is capable of executing a bookbinding job of sheets printed by a print unit, and which controls the processes such that the print unit and the bookbinding unit perform their respective processes separately from one another, rather than in series, based on identification information, when a specified instruction is received.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a processing part configured to process first image information so that second image information is generated; wherein the image information includes image data and reference information accompanying the image data; and the processing part correlates first reference information included in the first image information and second reference information included in the second image information, so that the first image information is processed and the second image information is generated.

Abstract: An image processor has a plurality of NICs (communication units), and a function of executing a plurality of jobs involving communication processes with terminals through the NICs. The job processing efficiency of the image processor is improved to the utmost extent. The types of priority jobs are preset for each of the NICs in priority job setting data, and the image processor carries out control so that a type of a job set to be given priority in the priority job setting data is processed in priority when a plurality of jobs involving communication processes through the NICs arise at overlapping timing. A job transmitter terminal transmits a job to the address of the NIC corresponding to the type of the job on the basis of the data that presets the corresponding relation between the types of jobs and communication addresses.

Abstract: An automated hybrid mail system/method (10) which sends a graphic image file (17a) from a sender's terminal (14) into a postal network (26) via a remote printing facility (24). The system/method can concatenate or consolidate a plurality of application documents into a virtual print stream for printing by producing a plurality of graphic image files (17a), each graphic image file obtained from a different application document, consolidating at least some of the plurality of graphic image files (17a) into a virtual print stream, and producing an electronic document (17), the electronic document (17) including at least the virtual print stream. The electronic document (17) is transmitted to a processing system (24) for subsequent automated printing of each graphic image file (17a) as a hardcopy document (25) by a printer (24).

Abstract: A printing system that adopts an SBC system in which a load at a server is alleviated when executing printing to enable printing to be performed smoothly. In the printing system, a client terminal, a server, and an image forming apparatus are connected to each other through a network. The client terminal specifies data among stored data in the server and sends a print execution request to the server. The server receives the print execution request, creates print-related information relating to the specified data, and sends it to the client terminal. The client terminal judges whether or not print data generation processing with respect to the specified data is possible at the client terminal based on the print-related information, and send the judgment result to the server. The server allocates the print data generation processing to either the server or the client terminal based on the judgment result.

Abstract: This invention prevents the operation performance drop of an image input and output apparatus even when the frequency of use of the image input and output apparatus is high upon recording log information in a system that comprises the image input and output apparatus. As a characteristic feature of this invention, in an image output system which includes an image input and output apparatus, PC, and server, the PC sends image data to be output by the image input and output apparatus to the server and sends information associated with the storage location of the image data to the image input and output apparatus, the server stores the image data received from the PC, and the image input and output apparatus prints the image data received from the PC and records the information associated with the storage location of the image data as log information about the image data.

Abstract: A printer system capable of reducing wasteful power consumption by apparatuses forming the printer system and preventing the service lives of the apparatuses from being shortened and capable of optimizing the capacity of power source. When power of the apparatuses of the printer system is on, a slave controller of each apparatus calculates a preparatory operation time of the apparatus, and transmits the calculated preparatory operation time to a master controller. Based on preparatory operation times indicated by data received from the slave controllers, the master controller determines start-up commencement times (start-up timings) of the slave controllers, and requests (instructs) the slave controllers to start operations upon elapsed of the determined start-up commencement times. In response to received operation start requests, the slave controllers start preparatory operations.

Abstract: In an image network system used for network print service which receives an order for printing or the like by using a communication network such as the Internet, there are provided a center server capable of providing service which is different depending upon points given to a customer according to an order track record, at a time of using the system, capable of suitably setting a storage capacity and a storage period of an image for a user without placing a burden on the user while importance is placed on an operational efficiency of the system, capable of allowing a user to upload images as many as possible in an album, and useful for prompting an order, and an image network system including the center server.

Abstract: An output destination of a job can be arbitrarily selectively used in accordance with an application of the user. If a state of each of printers to which the print job should be outputted is abnormal, if the states of the printers are unknown, or if there is a trouble in the obtainment and holding of the states of the printers, by controlling so as to output the print job at the output destination according to each situation with reference to an output destination change instruction table which has preliminarily been registered by the user, the output destination of the job is not always changed. If the output destination is changed, the output destination can be manually changed, thereby enabling the job to be outputted at the output destination according to the application of the user.

Abstract: A write control IC includes a plurality of memories, a plurality of image processing units, a switch control unit, and a plurality of LD control units. The image processing units process image data. The memories store therein the image data. The switch control unit switches the memories to store the image data processed by the image processing units for each of the image processing units. The LD control units obtain the image data from each of the memories and controls LDs to write the image data.

Abstract: A procedure through which a device is started up when power is introduced is fixed. Consequently, if there is a job that has been suspended owing to cut-off of power the length of time from re-introduction of power to resumption of the suspended job is too long. In order to solve this problem, an image processing apparatus, which enables execution of a plurality of jobs by starting up a plurality of software modules, is so adapted that in a case where a job being executed is suspended, execution information indicating status of execution of the job at the time of suspension is stored. The suspended job is resumed based on the execution information. Specifically, in resuming the suspended job, a group of software modules relating to the suspended job is started up before other software modules.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device, which comprises an interface into which a removal storage medium can be connected; at least one device having one of an image reading function and an image output function; a preparation control unit configured to execute a preparation process so that the at least one device moves from a first state corresponding to a non-ready state and a second state corresponding to a ready state; and an image process unit having at least one of a function of storing image data and a function of reading image data; a detection unit configured to detect whether the removal storage medium is connected to the interface; and a controller configured to move the at least one device to the second state in response to detection of insertion of the removal medium into the interface by the detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus include a program for performing a process concerning image formation by using a hardware resource, and a slot which a recording medium is inserted into and removed from. A status monitoring part monitors whether or not a recording medium is inserted or removed; a recording medium starting part starts the recording medium inserted into said slot into a state in which said recording medium is assessable; and a program starting part reads a program from said recording medium started into the accessible state, and starting said program.

Abstract: A data structure for a page configured to be incorporated into a photo book includes a first data field configured to store a position of an image on the page; a second data field configured to store information about an owner of the page; and a third data field configured to store a price associated with the page.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an area specifying unit that specifies a print area to be printed on a print medium in a page of a document, and a processing controller that controls processing related to an electronic sticky note, in correspondence with a portion running off the print area in the electronic sticky note attached to the page, to arrange a description held in the electronic sticky note within the print area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an area splitting section that splits whole image areas of a first page before edition and a second page which has been edited into plural regions; an alignment section that performs relative alignments between each of the corresponding split regions of the first page image and the second page image, produced by the area splitting section; and an extraction section that extracts edit information from the second page image by comparing the first page image with the second mage image which have been aligned by the alignment section.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for capturing draft or check data during a print process is disclosed. In another embodiment the present invention captures draft information during a print process. A user will initiate a print command to provide a copy of a draft being issued to a payee. In response to the print command a spool file is read. The spool file contains draft information associated. An output file containing the at least a portion of the draft information in the spool file is generated. The draft information is modified to conform to a template that provides improved automatic imaging recognition of the draft information such font type, font size and font spacing. Sending the output file to be printed.

Abstract: When image formation is to be carried out based on multiple print jobs that have been inputted, multi-imposition print data is generated in which the multiple print jobs are arranged in a single sheet layout, and cutting sheet data is generated based on positions of the multiple print jobs arranged in the single sheet layout in the generated multi-imposition print data. Then, control is performed over printing of the generated multi-imposition print data and insertion printing of the generated cutting sheet data.

Abstract: A logo data generating apparatus and method easily generate logo data suitable for storage to and output by a particular target printer without requiring a complicated process defining the image processing and data communication parameters. A source image obtaining unit obtains the source data used to generate the logo data. A model-specific data storage medium stores the model-specific data. A reading unit reads model-specific data for the target printer. A logo data generating unit generates the logo data by processing the source data based on the control data or the model-specific data. Specific control data is thus set automatically based on the model-specific data.

Abstract: Color processing methods and apparatus are provided that blend the gray component replacement (“GCR”) level of arbitrarily-specified input color data with an estimate of the GCR level of an output profile, and then converts processed device-independent data to output CMYK data that has a GCR level that substantially matches the GCR level of the input CMYK data. Methods and apparatus in accordance with this invention may be used to receive CMYK data that approximates a spot color, and provide tints of spot colors using an output profile that has a GCR level that differs from the GCR level of the input color data.

Abstract: An image processing method for adding noise-like texture to the print through the manipulation of halftone screens. The method injects noise into halftone thresholds arrays rather than directly into the image. The method operates by creating a halftone threshold array of suitable size to support the desired noise characteristics. A textured pattern of a corresponding size is created having the desired noise characteristics and boundary transitions. The texture pattern is applied to the halftone threshold array by an amount determined by a noise amplitude control curve. The incoming contone image is then processed with the modified halftone screen.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus of a mask for exposure that has a light shielding region 3 and a half-tone region 2 on a transparent substrate 1, includes a storage unit stored with half-tone pattern area data specifying an existing area of the half-tone region 2, a pattern detection unit 22 acquiring a binary image of an area in which to scan over the surface of the transparent substrate by a relative movement with respect to the transparent substrate, and a control unit 20 making effective a detecting operation of the pattern detection unit in the area on the transparent substrate that is specified by the half-tone pattern area data, and making ineffective the detecting operation of the pattern detection unit outside the specified area.

Abstract: An edge information detection section detects edge information corresponding to a spatial change in a pixel value in a predetermined region by using a two-dimensional first differential filter with respect to an input image signal. An edge intensity detection section detects an edge intensity by using a first threshold value with respect to the edge information detected in the predetermined region. A flatness detection section detects a degree of flatness by using a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value with respect to the edge information detected in the predetermined region. A determination section generates a two or more valued determination signal by determining the edge information in the predetermined region from the edge intensity and the degree of flatness.

Abstract: Photoelectric conversion elements of line sensors (CIS22 to CIS26) arranged in a zigzag manner read a white reference plate to acquire a white reference read value A, and a white reference read average value AA is determined from the white reference read value A for each line sensor. Further, the photoelectric conversion elements read another white reference plate placed on a document support plate to acquire a white reference read value B, and a white reference read average value BB is determined from the white reference read value B for each of the line sensors (CIS22 to CIS26). By using the white reference read average values AA and BB, a sensitivity effect coefficient C used for uniforming the sensitivities different because of the variation of the distances from the line sensors (CIS22 to CIS26) to the document support plate is determined by dividing the average value BB by a data processing section for each of the photoelectric conversion element of the line sensors.

Abstract: An image sensor device converts reflected light from an image surface of an original into an electric signal, and includes a substrate, a light transmitting unit, and a light receiving unit. The light transmitting unit is located on the substrate, and transmits the reflected light. The light receiving unit receives the reflected light. The light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so that the reflected light passes through the light transmitting unit and is incident to the light receiving unit.