Abstract: This invention deters information leakage by a flexible monitoring method according to the characteristic of an image or document. A job analysis section analyzes a print job and separates image data and attribute information. An image generator generates print image data from the image data by referring to the attribute information. A digital watermark generator and synthesis section embed at least part of the attribute information in the print image data. An image transmitter transmits, to a monitoring server, the print image data with at least part of the attribute information added. A monitoring method selector selectively operates the image transmitter or the digital watermark generator and synthesis section based on the attribute information.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises: an image forming unit adapted to execute image formation on a recording medium; and a writing unit adapted to be able to execute at least an information writing operation in a non-contact manner to a non-contact IC added to the recording medium. It is controlled whether or not the image forming unit should execute the image formation on the recording medium, according to a result of the information writing operation executed by the writing unit to the non-contact IC added to the recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus determines a type of a printing paper which is fed from a paper feed port of a printer. If it is determined that a print setting of a print target page does not match the type of printing paper fed from the paper feed port, the apparatus requests the printer to eject the printing paper set in the paper feed port and sends data of a print target page if a print setting of a print target page matches a type of a printing paper fed from the paper feed port after the printer has executed a paper ejection, or alternatively, the apparatus stores information about the print target page and determines whether a print setting of a page to be sent subsequent to the print target page in the print data matches the type of a printing paper fed from the paper feed port.

Abstract: A universal print driver allows an application program to print to any printer available on a network without the user having to perform the configuration that is required in conventional printing arrangements. The universal print driver includes functionality for performing printing device discovery to determine printing devices that are available to process print data. The universal print driver allows users to manage options and settings for printing devices through the universal print driver. The universal print driver may also be configured with a “best fit” matching function that selects an available printing device to process print data that has characteristics that most closely match user-specified characteristics. The universal print driver generates a graphical user interface that allows users to view printing devices available to process print data and to select options and settings for printing devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct printing of multiple views of 3-D objects in a PDF file is described. When a PDF file containing 3-D object data is sent to a printer, without using an application or print driver, the controller of a printer generates and prints a plurality of views of the 3-D object based on pre-defined viewing angle settings. The printer controller opens the PDF file, converts the 3-D PDF data to PS data based on the viewing angle, performs raster image processing, prints the bitmap images corresponding to the viewing angle, and repeats the process for all viewing angles. The plurality of views may be printed on separate pages, or on one page in an N-in-1 format. More generally, the method applies to direct printing of files containing objects that are capable of providing multiple appearances, where multiple or desired appearances of the objects are automatically printed.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming device comprising a connection unit to which an external device is detachably attached, a reading unit to read an image from an original to generate image data; an image forming unit to form an image; a controller that executes a plurality of modes including a scan-to-memory mode where image data is obtained through the reading unit and the obtained image data is stored in the external memory and a direct print mode where an image corresponding to image data stored in the external memory is formed, and a storage unit to store mode information concerning at least one mode, the at least one mode having been executed by the controller with respect to the external memory. The controller executes a mode stored in the storage unit as the mode information in response to connection of the external memory to the connection unit.

Abstract: Provided is a printing system in which it is possible to obtain an appropriate printed result from a printing apparatus even if the type of printing medium that has been set by a printer driver user interface and the type of printing medium loaded in the printing apparatus differ. The printing apparatus has a sensor for sensing the type of printing medium loaded. In the printing system, which requires that a printing parameter be transmitted from the printer driver to the printing apparatus, a printing medium is selected by a language monitor based upon the type of printing medium loaded in the printing apparatus and a print quality selected by the printer driver user interface. The selected printing parameter is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with print data.

Abstract: A print control system includes a computer configured to perform data processing, a printer, which is connected with the computer, configured to execute a print job transmitted by the computer so as to print an image on a recording medium, a print control unit configured to control the printer to execute the print job based on print settings, and a setting change unit configured to accept a setting change of the print settings regarding the print job in execution and update the print settings based on the accepted setting change while the print job is being executed. When the setting change unit updates the print settings, the print control unit controls the printer to execute the print job based on the updated print settings.

Abstract: In a document data management apparatus to manage document data read and digitized by an image reading apparatus, management of the document data is performed in view of the reliability of an image reading processing of the image reading apparatus, so that the reliability of various processings using the document data is improved. There are included a document data acquisition unit to acquire document data read and digitized by an image reading apparatus, a reliability determination unit to determine reliability of an image reading processing of the image reading apparatus for the document data based on the document data acquired by the document data acquisition unit, and a storage prohibition unit to prohibit, with respect to the document data for which the reliability determined by the reliability determination unit is lower than a specified threshold value, storage of the document data.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus connectable to a server via a network. The image forming apparatus includes a network controller for connecting the image forming apparatus to the network and a control unit capable of executing check processing for a server. At the time of the check processing for the server, the control unit transmits a connection request packet (SYN) to the server and performs port scan. The control unit checks a state of the server according to presence or absence of a response (ACK) from the server. When there is no response, the control unit reports a connection error to a user after elapse of an arbitrary timeout period set in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to preconditioning of a print device are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for generating a separator page. A document output instruction is received corresponding to the generation of a tangible document from an electronic document. A separator page instruction is then received. An output destination instruction corresponding to the electronic document, corresponding to a selected output destination for the tangible document is then received. A separator page is then generated in accordance with the received separator page generation instruction. The electronic document is then routed so as to generate the tangible document at the selected output destination. The separator page is then routed to the selected output destination in accordance with the output destination data corresponding to the electronic document such that the tangible document and the separator page are rendered at the output destination.

Abstract: When an imaging job is received by an imaging device, a modified job environment for the imaging job may be created based on job-specific settings that are specified by the imaging job and also based on default settings of the imaging device. When the imaging job is processed, modified job-specific input source settings of the modified job environment may be provided to an input source subunit that corresponds to the imaging job. The input source subunit may use the modified job-specific input source settings to process the imaging job. Modified job-specific output engine settings of the modified job environment may be provided to an output engine subunit that corresponds to the imaging job. The output engine subunit may use the modified job-specific output engine settings to process the imaging job.

Abstract: A system facilitates communication between a control component and a plurality of processing components. One or more processing components performs one or more tasks, each processing component has at least one attribute associated therewith. One or more attribute banks are associated with each of the one or more processing components, wherein each attribute bank stores the at least one attribute. A control component initiates the one or more tasks for each processing component. A universal driver facilitates communication between the one or more processing components and the control component. The driver includes an interrogation component that queries the one or more processing components to receive the at least one attribute associated with each processing component. A constraint evaluator that determines combinations of attributes that are supported and unsupported for each of the one or more processing components.

Abstract: A print driver is configured to store, retrieve and re-print processed print data that has been generated by the print driver. Processed print data may be stored locally or remotely and may be stored in a secure manner. The print driver may also be configured to save user settings data that indicates one or more user settings used by the print driver to process the print data and generate the processed print data. The print driver also allows processed print data to be retrieved and re-transmitted to printing devices. The print driver generates a graphical user interface that allows users to store, retrieve and print processed print data.

Abstract: A print driver is configured with data logging functionality. The data logging functionality includes the ability to generate log data that indicates attributes of print data that has been processed by the print driver. This may include a wide variety of attributes, such as a name of the print data, timestamp data, printing and finishing options and status. Log data may be generated and stored in a variety of formats, depending upon a particular implementation. The print driver may also be configured to generate a graphical user interface for displaying the log data to a user. The print driver may further be configured with an export function to allow the log data to be exported, for example, to other network devices, such as a server. Log data may be exported in a variety of formats and according to various protocols and may include the use of secure communications links or encryption.

Abstract: In a client terminal network connected to a plurality of printers, a system and method are provided for user-defined cluster printing. At a client terminal, the method involves user-selecting a cluster, where each cluster includes a plurality of printers network-connected to the client terminal. Then, the method creates a file set to be printed, where the file set includes a plurality of files. Software applications associated with each file in the file set are automatically opened and each file is converted into a printer-ready formatted document. Finally, the documents are automatically distributed to printers in the selected cluster for concurrent printing. Document finishing options can be selected by a user in response to automatically opening software applications associated with each file, and sent to the printers in the form of document processing instructions. Finishing options may be correlated to printer capabilities, and the documents distributed in response to correlation process.

Abstract: A universal print driver allows an application program to print to any printer available on a network without the user having to perform the configuration that is required in conventional printing arrangements. The universal print driver includes functionality for performing printing device discovery to determine printing devices that are available to process print data. The universal print driver allows users to manage options and settings for printing devices through the universal print driver. The universal print driver may also be configured with a “best fit” matching function that selects an available printing device to process print data that has characteristics that most closely match user-specified characteristics. The universal print driver generates a graphical user interface that allows users to view printing devices available to process print data and to select options and settings for printing devices.

Abstract: Print workflow methods and printing system apparatuses are described in some embodiments. According to one embodiment, a print workflow method includes providing a job to be printed upon media comprising arranging a plurality of elements into a desired layout for a page of the job and tagging individual ones of the elements of the job with respective ones of a plurality of different tags, and hard imaging the job in a plurality of separations and according to the tags, the hard imaging comprising accessing the job comprising the elements and the respective tags of the page, processing the page of the job for printing, and after the processing, printing the page of the job comprising the plurality of elements, and after the printing, finishing the job, and wherein at least one of the processing, the printing and the finishing for a single one of the separations comprises processing, printing, or finishing different ones of the elements of the page differently according to the respective tags.

Abstract: Using techniques described herein, separate “job ticket” data and printable data may be generated automatically from a PDL-compliant print stream. According to one technique, an automated mechanism receives a PDL-compliant print stream as input. The PDL-compliant print stream describes both printable content and control data, as described above. The automated mechanism separates the printable content data from the control data. The automated mechanism may translate the printable content data from a printer definition language into a format that is designed to be understood by human beings. The automated mechanism generates two separate “packages” of data; one “package” describes the printable content, and the other “package,” the “job ticket,” describes the control data. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the automated mechanism separates the PDL-compliant print stream into a “job ticket” and printable content data. The “job ticket” may be stored separately from the printable content data.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for printing jobs received from enterprise customers through a global printing network. One aspect relates to an architecture that interfaces customers, communication service firms (CSFs), and downstream digital print service providers (PSPs) in a global communications network. Such an architecture permits last-mile production functions that allow the distribution of print jobs to be optimized, containing costs, maintaining quality, and performing billing functions that improve the quality of such networks and make a global print network feasible. As a result, Enterprise customers benefit from lower costs and global sourcing while print service providers and graphics service firms benefit from increased revenue due to increased utilization of the overall global network.

Abstract: A host device and a printing control method of the host device. The host device includes a print data generation unit to generate print data for each page of a document to be printed, a transmission unit to transmit the generated print data to an image forming device, a menu generation unit to generate a print option setting menu if an interrupt occurs while transmitting the print data through the transmission unit, and a controller to control the print data generation unit to convert the print data after occurrence of the interrupt into print data to which the reset print option is applied.

Abstract: A printing device for performing a printing job in accordance with a print request issued from an external processing apparatus includes a table storage device that stores a print request management table in which a password, request source identification data identifying the external processing apparatus which has transmitted the print request and a job code specifying the print request are coordinated with each other; and a print controller that requests entry of a password and, when the password is entered, searches the print request management table and, when there is only one password which matches the entered password, performs the printing job in accordance with the print request specified by the job code which is determined by the password and, when there are a plurality of the passwords which match the entered password, compares the request source identification data corresponding to the respective passwords and, when the request source identification data corresponding to the respective passwords ar

Abstract: The present invention provides to a user a chapter break printing function setting part that allows the user to designate the leading page at a break of a document in order to set up the chapter break printing function for printing the leading page of a break of “chapter,” “section,” and the like of the document during double-side printing, as well as an insertion setting part that allows the user to designate the tab sheet insertion at the page designated by the chapter break printing function setting part.

Abstract: A disclosed information processing apparatus enables the output of various information managed by the apparatus in the form of a report adapted to user requirements in terms of format and output method, by generating report data based on data that is not dependent on any particular report output format or method. The information processing apparatus includes a data input unit, a data processing unit, a data output unit, and a user interface (UI). The data input unit generates data that is not dependent on any particular output format or output method, in accordance with report identifying information received via the UI. The data is processed by the data processing unit in accordance with an output format entered via the UI. The processed data is output by the data output unit in accordance with an output method entered via the UI.

Abstract: A method for setting configuration data of a printer for a printer driver in a server is provided, in which the server is used in an image printing system that includes a client, the printer and the server including the printer driver for the printer. In the method, the server stores the configuration data obtained from the printer, and a configuration data obtaining part in the server reads the stored configuration data according to a request from the printer driver, and sends the configuration data to the printer driver.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus and a data transmission method thereof, text data are extracted and transmitted for the purpose of the security management of data so that time and management cost of security violation are reduced. The image forming apparatus for security transmission of data includes a text extractor to extract text data from the data and a transmitter to transmit the text data to a management server to obtain transmission permission and then to transmit the data to a transmission target.

Abstract: An information processing methodology gives rise to an application program interface which includes an automated digitizing unit, such as a scanner, which inputs information from a diversity of hard copy documents and stores information from the hard copy documents into a memory as stored document information. Portions of the stored document information are selected in accordance with content instructions which designate portions of the stored document information required by a particular application program. The selected stored document information is then placed into the transmission format required by a particular application program in accordance with transmission format instructions. After the information has been transmission formatted, the information is transmitted to the application program. In one operational mode, the interface interactively prompts the user to identify, on a display, portions of the hard copy documents containing information used in application programs or for storage.

Abstract: An image forming system, image forming apparatus, and a terminal are provided. The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit and a terminal, the system comprising a setting unit which sets a time taken until image formation is started, the time being based on at least one of identification information of an image forming apparatus, identification information of a terminal, and identification information of a user of the terminal; and a controller which controls a start of image formation, based on the time which is set by the setting unit. The apparatus includes an image forming unit; a setting unit; and a controller. The terminal includes a setting unit; and a controller.

Abstract: A method of controlling an image forming apparatus connected to at least one server on a network. The method includes receiving an edit command for image data stored in the server from a user, and controlling the image data to be edited according to the edit command.

Abstract: Printed documents containing messages are processed into mail pieces using a system for preparing mail pieces. Data representing images of at least some of the documents are obtained by an imaging device of system for preparing mail pieces. The mail pieces are delivered to a postal service for delivery of the mail pieces to addressees and data sets representing at least some of the images in digital form are transmitted electronically. A system for carrying out such a method is also described.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is capable of managing security information on electronic documents before and after merging at a low cost. A CPU circuit causes input electronic documents with attribute information added thereto to be stored in a HDD. The CPU circuit causes selected ones of the electronic documents to be merged while updating attribute information on the merged electronic document.

Abstract: A print control system includes a computer with application software and a printer driver installed thereinto, a printer, which is connected with the computer, configured to perform a printing operation based on print settings including a setting item configurable via the application software and the printer driver, a judging unit configured to judge whether a first setting value of the setting item configured via one of the application software and the printer driver is equivalent to a second setting value of the setting item configured via the printer driver, and a warning unit configured to issue a warning when the judgment by the judging unit is negative.

Abstract: In a system configured to enable a printing unit to execute another job preferentially to a job not prepared for printing, when no predetermined time has elasped from a timing in which it has been determined that the job was not prepared for printing, it is inhibited to execute the other job preferentially to the job. When the predetermined time has elapsed from the timing, it is permitted to execute the other job preferentially to the job. This configuration can prevent unconditionally executing the another job preferentially to the job not prepared for printing.

Abstract: A printing control system includes a host interface, a user interface, a printing unit, and a controller. The host interface communicates with a host device that submits a print job. The user interface communicates with a user. The printing unit executes the print job. The controller suspends operation at the printing unit in response to a suspend request received at one of the host interface and user interface. The controller measures an elapsed time since the suspension, and transmits one of first and second commands upon determining that the elapsed time exceeds a given reference time. The first command causes the printing unit to automatically resume the suspended operation. The second command causes the host interface to send a notification of the suspension.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a display unit; an icon storing unit which stores a plurality of icons and a plurality of dates while being associated with each other; an extracting unit which extracts an icon, which is associated with dates within a time period among a plurality of first time periods, from the icon storing unit; a display controller which controls the display unit to display a plurality of period names corresponding to the plurality of first time periods and the extracted icon; and a selecting unit which selects a period name from among the period names displayed on the display unit; and a printing unit which prints a data file which relates to dates within the time period corresponding to the period name selected by the selecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the invention comprises a scanning unit configured to scan an image, a receiving unit configured to receive image data, a storing unit configured to store image data obtained by the scanning by the scanning unit and image data received by the receiving unit, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the basis of the image data stored in the storing unit, a connecting unit configured to connect an external storage device, an operation inputting unit configured to accept and input operation of image processing desired by a user and various kinds of information, a designating unit configured to designate one of the storing unit and the external storage device connected by the connecting unit, and a restricting unit configured to restrict predetermined image processing when the external storage device is designated by the designating unit.

Abstract: A mounting portion detachably mounts an external storage medium storing image data. An image processing portion performs a predetermined image process on the image data. A normal processing portion performs a normal process other than the predetermined image process. A detecting portion detects that the external storage medium is mounted in the mounting portion. An image-process instructing portion instructs the image processing portion to start the predetermined image process if the detecting portion detects that the external storage medium is mounted. A normal-process instructing portion instructs the normal processing portion to start the normal process.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming device which comprises: a print unit; a connection unit to which an external device is detachably attachable; a print control unit configured to control the print unit in accordance with print target data read from the external device attached to the connection unit to form an image corresponding to the print target data on a recording medium; a storage unit used to store the print target data which has been printed via the print unit; an authentication information input unit configured to accept input of authentication information; and a judgment unit configured to judge whether to permit execution of reprinting of the print target data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the authentication information.

Abstract: A position designation unit of a print data processing apparatus designates a position of identification information in each page of data to be printed, the identification information identifying the page. An extraction unit extracts the identification information contained in each page of the data, based on the position designated by the position designation unit. A memory stores the identification information extracted by the extraction unit and the data corresponding to the page containing the identification information, the identification information being associated with the data. An input unit inputs print object information containing the identification information indicating a page to be reprinted. A controller performs a control operation so that the data of the page corresponding to the print object information input from the input unit is output from the memory, based on the print object information input from the input unit and the identification information stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image processing system includes: an image capture device operable to capture at least first and second images of an object at different exposures, a storage for at least part of the at least first and second images, a filter for splitting the at least first and second images into respective first and second spatial frequency components, the first frequency component being of lower frequency than the second, a selector for selecting local image intensity data from the second spatial frequency components of a region of the at least first and second images for combination with the first frequency component from the corresponding region of the first image, and a combiner for combining the selected local image data from the second spatial frequency components of the at least first and second images with the first spatial frequency component of the first image to form a final image.

Abstract: Systems and processes for processing financial instruments include receiving a physical financial instrument, printing data on the received physical financial instrument, and capturing an image of the physical financial instrument to produce an electronic image. At least a portion of the data printed on the physical financial instrument is printed in a manner that substantially precludes reproduction in the electronic image. The electronic image is transmitted across a network, for example, to perform electronic processing, such as posting or clearing.

Abstract: A variable guilloche includes at least two guilloche curves, printed in a common space and having at least one point of overlap. The at least two curves are plotted from equations having variables corresponding to a specified data string of steganographic information.

Abstract: An image acquiring unit acquires an image. A storage unit stores therein the image acquired by the image acquiring unit. An information embedding unit embeds first information in the image acquired by the image acquiring unit. An information extracting unit extracts second information from the image stored in the storage unit. An information registering unit registers the first information in association with second information extracted from an image in which the first information is embedded.

Abstract: In a copy management system, an output device generates a print image, and list information including identification information identifying a person authorized for printing. The list information is converted to a specific code, which is in turn embedded in a print image. The code-embedded print image is output by a printer on a printing medium. The code-embedded print image on the printing medium is received by a copying device of the system. The copying device also receives and accepts copier identification information identifying a copying person. The list information is acquired from the code-embedded print image. The identification information in the list information acquired is compared to the copier identification information accepted. Allowance/non-allowance of copying is determined based on whether or not the above information coincides with each other. The copying device outputs a printed copy subject to decision for allowance of copying.

Abstract: Scanning devices and method of use that permit the capture of high resolution images of an original that is illuminated by a light source that is located outside of the optical field of view of an image detector. In one aspect, the image detector may be a monochrome sensor that sequentially captures different color plane images of an original that is illuminated by different colors. The different color plane images may be processed to generate a full color copy of the original. Light and images may be directed through tapered optical waveguides to minimize the volume of the scanning device. The image detector may include a first associated waveguide while the light source may include a second associated waveguide.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to a media interaction device drive system having at least one reduced dimension are disclosed.

Abstract: An image scanner including a plurality of light receiving units, a signal processing device, a connector and a determination device is provided. The plurality of light receiving units receive reflected light from an object to be scanned per each pre-divided area. The signal processing device processes output signals from each of the light receiving units to generate image data. The connector is connected to a plurality of output signal lines from the light receiving units so that the output signal lines are collectively connected to the signal processing device via the connector. The determination device receives the output signals from each of the light receiving units to the signal processing device via the connector, and determines whether the output signals from the light receiving units to the signal processing device are normal based on a signal level of the output signals.

Abstract: A document backing extending in a plane is resiliently biased in a direction substantially parallel to the plane.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to a scan area indicator are disclosed.