Patents Issued in June 12, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080137102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for positioning markings, having a first equipment unit (10), having means (14) for disposing the first equipment unit (10) at a predeterminable first position (18) of a reference face (16), and having optical signal means (20, 22, 50, 54, 60, 62, 64, 66) for generating directional information. According to the invention, it is proposed that the device has a second equipment unit (12, 13), which is positionable relative to the first equipment unit (10) and which has means (20, 22, 28, 50, 54, 60, 62, 64, 66), which make it possible to ascertain the spacing of the second equipment unit (12, 13) from the first equipment unit (10) in the direction predetermined by the first equipment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Erhard Hoffmann, Stefan Clauss, Joachim Hecht, Christian Heine, Reiner Krapf, Jullian Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20080137103
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an optical displacement sensor and an optical displacement measurement device capable of improving the detection accuracy in detecting the presence or absence of a target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonari Torii, Tomoki Hanada
  • Publication number: 20080137104
    Abstract: A method for recording and estimation of the weight of fish. A number of cameras, especially CCD-cameras, record pictures of fish moving by the cameras in a transfer conduit. The fish is illuminated from different sides in the transfer conduit and pictures of different parts of the fish are recorded by a sequence control, in such a way that a compound image recording is made, which is used as a base for an estimation of the weight of fish. A device to make measurements on fish 11, moving in a transfer conduit 12, that has at least two light sources 14 at the wall of the transfer conduit, for illumination of fish, and two or several cameras 10, especially CCD-cameras, arranged in a cross plane evenly around the circumferences, to record reflections from the fish or shadow pictures of the fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Kristian Lillerud, Erling Waagsbo
  • Publication number: 20080137105
    Abstract: An inspection system is provided to examine internal structures of a target material. This inspection system combines an ultrasonic inspection system and a thermographic inspection system. The thermographic inspection system is attached to ultrasonic inspection and modified to enable thermographic inspection of target materials at distances compatible with laser ultrasonic inspection. Quantitative information is obtained using depth infrared (IR) imaging on the target material. The IR imaging and laser-ultrasound results are combined and projected on a 3D projection of complex shape composites. The thermographic results complement the laser-ultrasound results and yield information about the target material's internal structure that is more complete and more reliable, especially when the target materials are thin composite parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Marc Dubois, Timothy Gerard Richter, Thomas E. Drake
  • Publication number: 20080137106
    Abstract: A method for determining a thickness of a phosphor layer of a device having the phosphor layer formed by dispersing phosphor particles in a transparent resin, comprising the steps of: applying laser light to the phosphor layer to determine the thickness of the phosphor layer based upon an area of a light emitting region or a light emission intensity of fluorescence excited from the phosphor particles by the laser light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi ONO
  • Publication number: 20080137107
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image on an original document by irradiating it with light and photoelectrically converting reflected light from it by an image pickup unit, including: an original document guide member positionable opposite to the image pickup unit, with a conveyance position of the original document therebetween; a white reference member that is positionable, the same as the original document guide member, and has a reference white color; an achromatic constant-density reference member that is positionable, the same as the original document guide member, and has a reference achromatic constant-density; a drive unit that moves one of the three members so as to be positioned opposite to the image pickup unit; and a control unit that controls execution of detection processings for dust detection from data obtained by moving, as described above, the achromatic constant-density reference member and the white reference member by reading them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Futami
  • Publication number: 20080137108
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing part that performs an image processing operation for print data having at least one field; and a controller that controls the image processing part to output the print data with a print form corresponding to a condition if the field of the print data satisfies the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi-sook Song, In-chang Park
  • Publication number: 20080137109
    Abstract: A printer includes a print controller that operates in accordance with a software product stored in a memory device of the printer. The software product includes instructions for the print controller to store a first page of print data in a first data buffer while printing a page according to a second page of print data pre-stored in a second data buffer. In one embodiment the software product includes instructions to decompress edge-runlength encoded print data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20080137110
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optimal or near optimal algorithms implemented as software tools that will allow the user/machine to identify optimal media out of the job set automatically. There are at least two main process steps to the exemplary embodiment. The first step involves the off-line characterization of the printing/image rendering system that will be used to extract the principal basis vectors from the experimental data. The second step involves the run-time mode, in which the pre-characterized basis vectors are used in conjunction with an optimal algorithm that will identify the media for re-calibration/re-characterization from the group of media set that the customer is interested to print. The optimal algorithm performs the combinatorial search every time the customer wishes to select the media. Once the optimal media is selected, the customer or the machine can print color patches (which are also optimal set) and execute the rest of the processing to reconstruct the best color management LUTs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Lalit Keshav Mestha, Yao Rong Wang, Zhigang Fan, Alvaro Enrique Gil
  • Publication number: 20080137111
    Abstract: A printing system capable of binding a modified image data to an individual print engine in a multiple print engine system. The system includes an image processor such as a digital front end, a set of transformations, and a configuration of printers. The system can also include a scanner that scans a test image so that this image binding process can be repeated. Furthermore, the transformation binding can also take place in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Martin E. Banton, Mark S. Jackson, Norman W. Zeck, Peter A. Crean
  • Publication number: 20080137112
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a grid structure for a set of values in a device color space is provided. A multi-step process applies heuristics to a collection of color sample data in order to determine the structure of a look-up table that best fits the samples. A first step is a sorting and counting step, in which the sampling data is sorted for each channel, and the number of steps in each channel is counted. A second step is a check for completeness of the data. A third step is a removal step in which steps are removed if they do not correspond to steps on the axes of the three-dimensional cube. The fourth step is a check for a full Look Up Table (LUT). If a full LUT has been obtained, then the structure of the LUT has been determined and the process ends. On the other hand, if the check for a full LUT is unsuccessful, then a fifth step is performed, in which steps are removed if they are under-correlated with other steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Siu-Kei Tin
  • Publication number: 20080137113
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, has: a conversion unit that converts input image information including a first color component and a second color component into output image information in which, with regard to each of the color components, the number of gray levels per pixel is smaller than the number of gray levels per pixel in the input image information and a gray level of the input image information is expressed by a gray level value of each pixel and a dot density and in which the size of a dot is different between the first color component and the second color component; and an output unit that outputs the output image information obtained by the conversion unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Saito, Kazuo Asano, Toru Misaizu, Shigeru Arai
  • Publication number: 20080137114
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for performing printing by replacing objects in a master template with data stored in a database and executing a process according to a record in the database includes a unit configured to specify a predetermined field and other fields in the database, and a unit configured to perform image processing according to information indicated by the specified other fields, on image data indicated by the specified predetermined field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sanami
  • Publication number: 20080137115
    Abstract: An apparatus to control a printing density in an image forming device and a method thereof, capable of controlling the printing density of a printed matter according to an amount of pages for a single page and a print rate. The apparatus and method solve a problem wherein the printing density is recognized as being degraded due to an increase of pages for a single paper or a reduced print rate. The printing density is set automatically or manually, and a bias voltage applied to a developing roller is controlled according to set-up information so that the printing density is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Ju KIM, Bong Gi Lee
  • Publication number: 20080137116
    Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and an image forming method thereof. The image forming method includes: selecting at least one among plural scanning profiles needed for color management at a scanning operation of a document and plural printing profiles needed for the color management at a printing operation of the document according to a user's input; and generating a printing image based on the selected scanning and printing profiles and a preset scanning or printing profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-ran LEE, Joo-young JUNG
  • Publication number: 20080137117
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to selectively perform an auto color registration operation, the apparatus including: a printing unit, which forms single-color images, based on printing data, and transfers the images to a printing medium to form a printed image; and a controller which prevents the printing unit from performing the auto color registration operation on the printing data, if the printing data relates a monochromatic printing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HYEON-SEUNG LEE
  • Publication number: 20080137118
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: (i) a capturing device for capturing an original image of a source document; (ii) a moving device for moving one of the capturing device and the source document relative to the other; (iii) a first region processor for causing the moving device to position the capturing device in a first capturing position, so as to obtain a first pixel-related data relating to pixels present in a first region of the source document; (iv) a background-color-basis correcting-value determiner for determining a background-color-basis correcting value, based on the first pixel-related data; and (v) a second region processer for causing the moving device to position the capturing device in a second capturing position, so as to obtain a second pixel-related data relating to pixels present in a second region of the source document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuro Matsutani
  • Publication number: 20080137119
    Abstract: Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include constructing display list objects for to-be-printed objects and determining if two or more sequential objects are combinable. If so, a masked indexed image replaces the objects and has dimensions matching the overall bounding box size of the combinable objects. Indexed image values of the masked indexed image correspond to look up table entries, in turn, corresponding to color values of pixels of the combined object. In this manner, memory space is made available. Determining combinability of objects occurs by examining whether the objects are opaque, have regions as stencils, have similar color intensities, have the same halftone screens, share comparably sized or proximate bounding boxes or for other reasons. Head and tail pointers delineate sequential objects on the display list. The masked indexed image can be uni- or multi-dimensional. Computer readable media and graphics engines in printers are preferred implementation structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond Edward Clark, Ning Ren
  • Publication number: 20080137120
    Abstract: A method automatically performs regression testing of output of an altered variable information print job (program). In one embodiment, the method begins by supplying test data to a variable information (VI) print job to produce first sample data. Next, the method applies a numeric generation application to the sample data to produce numerical representations. Then, the VI print job is altered and the same test data is supplied to the altered VI print job to produce second sample data. Again, the numeric generation application is applied to the second sample data to produce more of the numerical representations. The numerical representations are then compared to identify altered data records caused by the altering of the VI print job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Philip C. Rose
  • Publication number: 20080137121
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for securely accessing imaging job resources in a printing device. The method initially downloads a restricted software resource to a printing device. That is, the resource is restricted to use by a user group. As differentiated from factory installed software, or field upgrades, the restricted software resource is stored in a user-accessible memory, such as non-volatile storage (e.g., RAM). Subsequently, an imaging job is accepted for processing. The imaging job is verified to be associated with the user group. Subsequent to verification, access is permitted to the restricted software resource, and the imagining job is processed using the restricted software resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Roy K. Chrisop, Lena Sojian, Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch
  • Publication number: 20080137122
    Abstract: An image-displaying sheet, comprising: a display that displays an image thereon; a switch part that switches ON and OFF the mode to display an image on the display; a copy detector that detects a copy operation performed on an image displayed on the display; and a controller that makes the switch part switch OFF the mode to display an image on the display, if the copy detector detects that a copy operation is performed on the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eguchi, Tatsuya Eguchi, Kiyohito Tsujihara, Shigeo Tomita
  • Publication number: 20080137123
    Abstract: The present invention realizes resource saving and energy saving by grasping and managing a usage efficiency of an image forming apparatus. To accomplish this, a method in accordance with the present invention is an information processing method of managing usage information on a job which is issued from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus, which includes: a step of acquiring the usage information from the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus; a step of deriving the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets from the usage information acquired in the acquisition step; and a step of outputting usage efficiency information of the image forming apparatus using the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets derived in the derivation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Nozato
  • Publication number: 20080137124
    Abstract: Test image data is introduced into the image processing path of a marking device, at various points prior to the marking engine. Comparison of output of the marking engine from various sources of image data is made to diagnose imaging path component failure. Imaging data at various points in the image processing path is captured for analysis as part of component failure diagnosis. Various memory devices are used to both introduce test data at various points in the image processing path and capture data at various points of the image processing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Butterfield, Mark A. Gwaltney, Connie F. Purdum, Carlos O. Alva
  • Publication number: 20080137125
    Abstract: To quickly repair a communication breakdown, a monitoring apparatus receives a notification of change of a network setting from an image forming apparatus. After receiving the notification of the change of the network setting, the monitoring apparatus determines whether a notification of completion of the change of the network setting is received within a predetermined period of time. In the case where it is determined that no notification of the completion of the change of the network setting is received within the predetermined period of time after receipt of the notification of the change of the network setting, the monitoring apparatus sends a notification of a failure in the network setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiko Naitoh
  • Publication number: 20080137126
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image information processing apparatus that outputs image data, at least one format converting apparatus that converts the image data into ready-to-print data, and an image forming apparatus that prints out the ready-to-print image data. These apparatuses are connected to a network such that they communicate with one another. The image information processing apparatus transmits image data to image forming apparatus. If the image forming apparatus supports the data format of the image data, the image data is printed in the image forming apparatus. If the image forming apparatus does not support the data format of the image data, the image data is transferred to the format converting apparatus. The format converting apparatus converts the image data into the ready-to-print data and then transmits the ready-to-print data back to the image forming apparatus, which in turn prints the ready-to-print data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuho YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20080137127
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus determines whether the object to be printed is real money. If the object is real money, the image forming apparatus prints a variety of counterfeit money discrimination information (e.g., the counterfeit money preventing pattern, the warning message, or the unique number of the image forming apparatus used for printing the money) on the back side of the copy of the money, and prints the original image of the money on the front side of the copy of the money without any change. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can color-print the original image of the money without any change, and can prevent the copied money from being used as counterfeit money.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Ryu, Jae Ho Kim, Sook Hyum Kong, Eun Young Jung, Won Young Chi, Yoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20080137128
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus records image files on a recording medium. The image recording apparatus automatically selects disused files and automatically deletes them at the appropriate timing. A storage device acquires an image file from, e.g., an imaging component or an external terminal and records the image file together with time information on a recording medium. A controller monitors the recording area of the recording medium and automatically deletes image files for which the time information is old in accordance with the monitored usage status of the recording area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kazami
  • Publication number: 20080137129
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for notification handling in a processing server and an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch
  • Publication number: 20080137130
    Abstract: A method for preparing a usage report with counter information relating to a device is described. A counter request is sent to a device. A determination is made if the device responds to the counter request. Cached counter information associated with the device is retrieved if the device does not respond to the counter request. The cached counter information is classified. The cached counter information is used in a usage report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch
  • Publication number: 20080137131
    Abstract: A method for performing host-assisted document printing from a mobile device in an imaging system having a printer communicatively coupled to a host includes establishing a direct communication link from the mobile device to the printer; transferring a native document file from the mobile device to the printer; sending the native document file from the printer to the host; processing the native document file by a print application program running on the host to generate print data corresponding to the native document file; processing the print data through a printer driver associated with the printer; and printing the print data at the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Barry Richard Cavill, William Henry Reed, Maini Helena Williams
  • Publication number: 20080137132
    Abstract: In a printing method, summarizing information is extracted from a print job. Additional content is generated based on the summarizing information. The additional content is integrated into the print job to produce an augmented print job including the additional content. The augmented print job is printed. In an illustrative advertising application, summarizing information is extracted from a print job, advertising content is selected from a database of advertising content based on the summarizing information, and the selected advertising content is integrated into the print job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Florent Perronnin
  • Publication number: 20080137133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for printing via application servers, as well as a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which can be used, in particular, for printing from UNIX and SAP servers to ICA/RDP clients (ICA=Independent Computing Architecture, RDP=Remote Desktop Protocol). Print support is provided in client-server architectures which include application servers (10), wherein an application server (1) is controlled from at least one client terminal (6) via at least one terminal server (4), and wherein a print order initiated by a user of the at least one client terminal (6) and started on the application server (1) is printed on a desktop printer (7) installed on the client terminal (6), on a network printer installed locally on the client terminal (6), and/or outputted via an optical interface of the client terminal (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bernd Trappe
  • Publication number: 20080137134
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, including: an identification information storing section that stores identification information for other printing apparatus; a restriction information storing section that groups the stored identification information, and stores restriction information that gives a restriction for using a function provided by a printing apparatus belonging to the same group; an information sharing section that mutually shares the stored identification information stored and the stored restriction information with printing apparatuses in the same group; an information controller that, upon update of the stored restriction information, controls to send the restriction information to other printing apparatus in the same group, based on the identification information mutually shared by the information sharing section; and a usage restriction section that restricts use of the function, based on the restriction information sent from the information controller to other printing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Osamu IGARASHI
  • Publication number: 20080137135
    Abstract: A job controller allocates a resource to a plurality of PDL analyzers and, in a case where an out-of-resource condition occurs in any of the PDL analyzers while the PDL analyzers are performing PDL data analysis in parallel, causes a PDL analyzer to interrupt the processing being performed in parallel with processing by the other PDL analyzer, releases a resource corresponding to the interrupted processing, and reallocates the released resource to the other PDL analyzer to allow the other PDL analyzer to continue processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Takeishi
  • Publication number: 20080137136
    Abstract: A method to control a printer driver and a network print system employing the same. Print options of a printer driver, which have been set to suit a server device connected to a printer, and data files linked to the print options are transmitted to each client device connected to the server device through a network using an OS. This eliminates the inconvenience of having to again set print options of the printer driver in each client device, thereby increasing the convenience of use. The authority to use each selectable item of a specific print option function in print options is also set, thereby making it possible to limit the use of the specific item, thereby extending available functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Ryong SHIN
  • Publication number: 20080137137
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a connecting unit configured to connect the image processing apparatus to a network via which a plurality of image output devices can be connected to the image processing apparatus, an input unit configured to input image data, a specifying unit configured to specify an image processing attribute of the input unit, an acquiring unit configured to acquire information indicating a degree of fit between the image processing attribute of the input unit specified by the specifying unit and an image processing attribute of each of the plurality of image output devices, and a display unit configured to display a list of the plurality of image output devices with an indicator of the degree of fit based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoto Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080137138
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can prohibit any users but a user who has made a deposit from operating the image forming apparatus for a chargeable process. A communication controller of the image forming apparatus obtains pieces of proper information of cell-phones. An ID management section issues IDs for the respective pieces of proper information, and the communication controller sends the IDs to the corresponding cell-phones. At an input section, a user of one of the cell-phones inputs the ID sent thereto. Thereafter, the communication controller receives an access from a cell-phone and receives proper information of the cell-phone. In this moment, it is judged whether the cell-phone which has made an access is identical with the cell-phone of which ID was inputted at the input section. Only when the communication controller identifies the cell-phone, the communication controller permits the image forming apparatus to communicate with the cell-phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Matoba
  • Publication number: 20080137139
    Abstract: A print control apparatus includes an input unit that acquires print job definition data by acquiring print data including print job definition data and content data and interpreting the acquired print data, a plurality of printer setting converters that convert the print job definition data acquired by the input unit into printer setting data for setting a printer, a printer setting distributor that divides the print job definition data by each item and distributes the divided items to the plurality of printer setting converters at a time when the print job definition data is supplied from the input unit to the printer setting converters and receives the printer setting data that has been converted by the plurality of printer setting converters, and a transmission unit that receives the converted printer setting data and the content data input from the input unit through the printer setting distributor and transmits the printer setting data and the content data to the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080137140
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an image printing apparatus which prints an original image as image information on a recording sheet and performs postprocessing on the recording sheet after printing operation. According to the image printing apparatus of the invention, image printing conditions include conditions concerning postprocessing to be executed by a punch unit and postprocessing device and selection information of a main tray or sub-tray. The image printing conditions are stored after being set as individual image printing conditions for each image information and linked to the image information. When image printing conditions are to be read out by a page readout unit, such individual image printing conditions are read out together with image information, printing and postprocessing are executed for each image information, i.e., each original image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Takao Kurohata, Yoshihisa Kamata, Minoru Asakawa
  • Publication number: 20080137141
    Abstract: An image reading unit reads an image as a first image represented in a first color space. A color converting unit converts the first image into a second image represented in a second color space. A storing unit stores therein the first image and the second image. A printing unit prints the second image stored in the storing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Hattori
  • Publication number: 20080137142
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an extracting portion to extract a print object from print data based on a selection from list information included in the print data, an image processing portion to perform an image processing operation to output the print object and a controller to control the image processing portion to extract the print object based on the selection from the list information by a user, to select a layout corresponding to the extracted print object, and to output the extracted print object according to the selected layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Eun-hui JUNG
  • Publication number: 20080137143
    Abstract: Defects in an image forming system may give rise to visible streaks, or one-dimensional defects in an image that run parallel to the process direction. One known method for compensating for streaks introduces a separate tone reproduction curve for each pixel column in the process direction. A compensation pattern according to this invention has alignment marks before and after a halftone compensation region. The alignment marks provide alignment between the printer pixel grid and a scanning pixel grid. The line width of each alignment mark and the gray level in each pixel column of each gray level portion is measured and analyzed to produce a local tone reproduction curve for each pixel column and associated line width. The line widths of the alignment marks can be remeasured to adjust the local tone reproduction curves to compensate for the streak defect when printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Howard A. MIZES
  • Publication number: 20080137144
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing an original image from a printed and scanned image includes determining a plurality of transformation parameters including a rotation a of the scanning grid relative to the printing grid and a plurality of translation parameters which give a position of a node on the printing grid in a coordinate system of the scanning grid, generating a system of non-linear equations which represent the printed and scanned image as a function of: (i) the original image, (ii) a print/scan resolution ratio, and (iii) the transformation parameters, computing coefficients for the system using the resolution ratio, the transformation parameters and the given print model, generating a linear approximation of the system of non-linear equations, solving the linear approximation for an approximation of the original image, and creating a reconstructed original image from the approximation of the original image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Cordery, Bertrand Haas, Hongmei Gou
  • Publication number: 20080137145
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, a printing apparatus and an image processing method are provided which can perform quantization processing on image data at high speed based on an error diffusion method while at the same time avoiding degradations in a quality of printed images. When the error value represented by the error data is equal to or less than the reference value, at least a part of the data portion that can represent an error value in excess of the reference value is eliminated to compress the error data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Takemura, Hiroki Horikoshi, Shigeru Fujita, Akira Ichimura, Takeshi Kuga, Hiroyuki Hosogoshi
  • Publication number: 20080137146
    Abstract: The generation of dot data of planes depending on a plurality of scannings and ink colors in an ink jet printing apparatus is performed based on the error diffusion processing for each plane without causing a problem of grain. Specifically, in a binarization processing, C divided data D8c/2 is subjected to an error diffusion processing to calculate binary (dot) data D2c1 for the first pass of C. Next, M divided data D8m/2 is compensated by being added with a term of Kc1m1(D8c/2-D2c1). Then, this compensated data [D8m/2+Kc1m1(D8c/2-D2c1)] is subjected to an error diffusion processing to calculate dot data D2m1 for the first pass of M. In this manner, the generation of the respective planes performs correction to reflect the results of the binarization processing of the respective previously processed planes to subject the compensated data to an error diffusion processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Marumoto
  • Publication number: 20080137147
    Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus is capable of forming an image using a black recording liquid and at least one color recording liquid and generating image data on an image to be output. When an input image is black, the image data is generated for forming the image with the black recording liquid and using the color recording liquid for the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Naoki NAKANO, Yoshiaki Hoshino, Masanori Hirano, Takashi Kimura, Masakazu Yoshida, Taku Satoh, Shigetoshi Hosaka, Shigetaka Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20080137148
    Abstract: An image processing method which changes a color image into a gray image, the image processing method including determining a plurality of representative colors, assigning gray values to the representative colors so that range variations between the gray values within a predetermined range are less than a predetermined value, and assigning a gray value to an arbitrary color of the color image according to a degree of similarity between the arbitrary color and the representative colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-soo OH, Kyeong-man Kim
  • Publication number: 20080137149
    Abstract: Extended colorant sets are used to hide data or provide a watermark in printed images. Extended set colorants are colorants other than, and in addition to, the standard or common subtractive primary colorants: cyan, magenta, yellow and/or black. Where the extended colorant set supports a plurality of colorant recipes for rendering a given color, watermark data is used to select a colorant recipe from the plurality. As the watermark data to be encoded in the image changes state with image position, alternate colorant recipes or colorant selection functions are selected. The image is rendered based on the alternate colorant recipe selections. Watermark information is encoded in the colorant recipe or colorant selection function selection. Use of the extended colorant sets allows information to be encoded even in portions of an image having colors that do not include a neutral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Robert P. Loce, Raja Bala, Karen M. Braun
  • Publication number: 20080137150
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiment disclosed herein comprises several aspects of defining and using optimal color test patches for calibrating a printing system for various purposes (e.g., multi-media, gamut extension, drifting correction, etc.). One aspect is the creation and use of color patches where the color patches are selected optimally to result in minimum mean square error when those color patches are used to determine weights of a limited number of basis vectors that model the system (e.g., model the print engine response). A joint optimization technique is given as a method to select the optimal color test patches for calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Yao Rong Wang, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Zhigang Fan, Alvaro Enrique Gil
  • Publication number: 20080137151
    Abstract: Techniques for transmitting information to a recipient under their control are described. In some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with a fax delivery system to, as part of a connection established to perform a fax transmission, provide a variety of functionalities to a human recipient that is participating as part of the connection, such as when the human recipient is contacted in error. In addition, in some situations an interactive voice response system is used to receive and interpret input from a human recipient, such as in response to one or more control selections or options provided to the human recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: William D. Street