Abstract: An information processing system includes a peripheral device at least having a printer function and an information processing apparatus controlling the peripheral device. The peripheral device includes: a display portion; a process execution portion to execute prescribed processing; a storage portion to store user-specific data; and a metadata return portion to refer to the user-specific data in response to reception of a metadata request from the information processing apparatus and to extract and return metadata associated with user identification information included in the received metadata request.

Abstract: A document feeding device of the present invention includes: a discharge roller pair that includes a first drive roller and a first idler roller; and a transport roller pair that includes a second drive roller and a second idler roller. Either one of the second drive roller and the second idler roller moves between a contact position where said roller is in contact with the other roller and a separation position where said roller is separated from the other roller. The transport roller pair is disposed on the other side of the discharge roller pair from a discharge tray. The transport roller pair transports a document that has passed through the reading position to the discharge roller pair by positioning said roller at the contact position in a case where the first drive roller rotates forward.

Abstract: The present invention includes a control apparatus that (i) receives, from a multifunction peripheral, information indicative of image process content selected by the user, (ii) detects, in correspondence with image processing function information stored in advance, an image process section that can carry out an image process, and (iii) causes the detected image process section to carry out the image process. This arrangement makes it possible to easily use, at the multifunction peripheral, an image processing function that can be performed by an image processing apparatus.

Abstract: A management apparatus by which one of facsimile apparatuses that externally receives facsimile data is selected based on current power modes of the facsimile apparatuses. Facsimile data can be transmitted from any of a FAX and MFPs on an IP communication network. One of MFPs which are not in a power saving mode is selected by the management apparatus, and a URI of the selected MFP is registered in an SIP server. When facsimile data whose original transmission destination is an MFP which is in a power saving mode is transmitted, the facsimile data is transferred to and alternatively received by the selected MFP.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an address book management application which receives from a client PC an instruction as to address data stored in an HDD of an image forming apparatus. When the instruction is a backup instruction, the address book management application acquires the address data from an address data storage area, creates a backup file from the acquired address data, and stores the created backup file in a backup area of the HDD. When the instruction is a restore instruction, the address book management application restores the backup file stored in the backup area, as the address data in the address data storage area.

Abstract: Print setting information including information indicating an order of entries of files is created, and a print job is created by appending the print setting information. A sequence of created print jobs to be transmitted is arranged based on the information which is included in the print setting information and indicates the order of entries of files, and process restriction information associated with the print job is acquired from a print device. When it is determined that restriction by the process restriction information is exceeded upon continuously receiving a plurality of print jobs, a succeeding print job is changed so that the process restriction information is not exceeded even when the succeeding print job is transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method detect defects in a captured image of output from a printing device. The captured image is filtered using a source image for the output, wherein specific defects of interest are detected using the filtered image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus accepts input of transfer sheet identification information, forms an image on a transfer sheet based on a control value corresponding to the accepted transfer sheet identification information, and accepts input of a correction value of the control value and stores the correction value in correspondence with the transfer sheet identification information in a storage unit. The image is formed on the transfer sheet based on the control value that is corrected by the correction value when the control value is stored in correspondence with the accepted transfer sheet identification information.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a sleep control unit which, in a normal operation mode in which power is supplied to a fixing device, if predetermined processing is not executed for a preset time or if an instruction to execute shifting to a power-saving mode with lower power consumption than in the normal operation mode is received, makes a shift to a sleep mode with a lower power consumption than in the normal operation mode, in which at least power supply to the fixing device is stopped; and a super-sleep control unit which makes a shift to a super-sleep mode in which a power source of a processor is turned off if predetermined processing is not executed for a shorter time than the preset time after the shift to the sleep mode is made.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system, and computer program and product each capable of activating an image forming apparatus according to configuration information approved by an authorized user are disclosed.

Abstract: A printing system enables easily recognizing the status of a printing process. The host computer 2 has a print job transmission unit that sends print jobs to a printer, a notification pattern setting unit that sets a notification pattern, and a notification control command transmission unit that sends a notification control command asynchronously to the print job transmission unit.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus acquires transmission processing information that includes a transmission destination for transmitting data, notification information related to transmission of data to the transmission destination, and a notification destination for notifying the notification information. The data transmission apparatus transmits data to the transmission destination included in the transmission processing information, and notifies the notification information to the notification destination included in the transmission processing information.

Abstract: A printing system is provided comprising a plurality of resources including idle and non-idle resources having a plurality of image marking engines and a user interface for inputting user determinable priority criteria for a first print job. All of the non-idle resources are assigned to the first print job when the first print job is the only print job; and, a resource fraction of the non-idle resources is assigned to the first print job when there is at least a second print job.

Abstract: A printing apparatus receives a print job from an information processing apparatus. It is determined whether the received print job is a first print job or a second print job. If the results of the determination indicate that the received print job is a first print job, printing onto a printing medium is executed based on the first print job. However, if the received print job is a second print job, the second print job is stored in a storage medium. Then, if a printing instruction for printing the second print job containing printing settings and stored in the storage medium has been made, printing based on the second print job is executed onto a printing medium onto which printing based on the first print job has already been executed, and a process for adding a processing agent to that printing medium is then executed.

Abstract: A data communication device includes: a communication execution unit that executes serial communication of an asynchronous type; a bit variance detection block that detects a variance between bits in communication data which the communication execution unit receives from a remote communicating party; a timer that measures a low-level pulse width which is a low-level pulse duration and which is determined with the position of the variance between bits detected by the bit variance detection block; and a control unit that performs transmission speed recognizing processing on the communication data according to the low-level pulse width measured by the timer, wherein based on the confirmation that the low-level pulse width is a low-level pulse width equivalent to a bit width compatible with low-speed communication data, the control unit recognizes the transmission speed for the communication data as a low speed.

Abstract: The image-processing apparatus includes: a communication interface unit; a user interface display unit which is arranged to provide information to a user; a user interface input unit provided with a hardware-key which is arranged to receive an input from the user; a web browser which is arranged to acquire page data from a web server, structure a display screen based upon the page data, and display the display screen on the user interface display unit; a hardware-key function assignor which is arranged to determine a function to be assigned to the hardware-key based upon the page data; and a hardware-key control unit which is arranged to control the hardware-key in accordance with the determination of the hardware-key function assignment by the hardware-key function assignor.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a virtual printer driver unit configured to receive job data of a job from an application executing unit, generate image data based on the job data, and generate print setting data by describing a print setting extracted from the job data; an output condition control unit configured to rewrite the image data and the print setting data generated by the virtual printer driver unit and determine an output destination from which the image data is to be printed out, in accordance with a rule including conditions for selecting the output destination and making a change in output contents of the job; and a transmission unit configured to select a printer driver corresponding to the determined output destination and transmit, to the selected printer driver, a print command relevant to a changed job corresponding to the image data and the print setting data that have been rewritten.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a variable print job having a plurality of records including page information of a plurality of pages, and based on the page information, outputting an output product including a master object and a variable object includes a reception unit for receiving a print job, an output unit for executing output processing for outputting the received print job as the output product, a detection unit for detecting an error occurring during the output processing, and a control unit, when the print job in which an error is detected is the variable print job, interrupting the output processing of the record, and restarting output processing from a page included in a record following the record in which the error is detected.

Abstract: An image processing system in which an image forming device and a server device are connected via a network, the image forming device including an acquisition unit operable to acquire a maximum optional configuration that indicates all optional functions that can be implemented on another image forming device; a creation unit operable to create an external use screen, which is a customized screen for display on an operation panel of the other image forming device, in accordance with the maximum optional configuration; and a transmission unit operable to transmit external setting information corresponding to the external use screen to the server device, and the server device including a customized screen storage unit that stores the external setting information. With this structure, a customized screen for use on the other image forming device can be created to include functions not implemented on the image forming device.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to allow an authentication process that avoids unnecessary information from being stored in a digital camera irrespective of whether or not a digital camera connected to the printer has a direct print function. To this end, in this invention, in an early stage of connection between a digital camera DSC and PD printer, the PD printer side requests an object which contains a keyword as authentication information of those which are stored and held by the DSC (S29). As a result, after it is determined the returned information contains authentication information, the printer notifies the DSC of its own authentication information (S33).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus can communicate with a server in which an application program is installed so as to be executable. The information processing apparatus includes a browsing portion to display a screen received from the server. If receiving from the server a setting screen for setting an execution condition for executing the application program, the browsing portion allows the server to execute the application program in accordance with the execution condition set in the setting screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to be network-connected is provided with an acquirer for requesting event information indicating a specific event having occurred in another image forming apparatus via a network and acquiring the event information transmitted via the network in response to this request, and a processor for performing a predetermined process to deal with the specific event when the event information is acquired by the acquirer.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a print job may include determining a first set of deployments that includes one or more deployments. Each deployment in the first set may include an indication of a logical device in a cloud environment and an indication of a production center. The method may include for one or more deployments in the first set of deployments, determining a total compliance value associated with the deployment, identifying a subset of deployments based on, at least in part, the associated total compliance values, generating a new set of deployments based on, at least in part, the identified subset of deployments, and in response to the first set of deployments being an improvement over the new set of deployments, incrementing a count variable, and repeating the determining a total compliance value, identifying, and generating operations until the count variable equals an exit condition value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a service provider are disclosed. Information pertaining to print service providers, including associated user and general reputation scores, are received. Each user reputation score identifies a user's perception of a print service provider's reputation. Each general reputation score identifies a general strength of the print service provider's reputation. A first set of providers is selected based on a threshold user reputation score. A second set of providers is selected (pseudo-)randomly. A trust score is determined for each provider in the first and second sets based on the associated user and general reputation scores. One or more negotiation providers are selected from the first and second sets based on the associated trust scores. One or more of the user and general reputation scores are updated for negotiation providers based on a quality of service provided or an offer provided to or by the negotiation provider.

Abstract: A print system is capable of processing a print order of image data through a network. The print system includes an information device operable to store image data, and an order reception server connected to the information device through the network. The information device sends print information specifying print content including image data to be printed to the order reception server with which a communication is established prior to a formal placing of a print order. The order reception server, when completing a reception of the print information, recognizes that the print order is completed, provides an order number for identifying the print order, and sends the order number to the information device.

Abstract: A printer driver includes an assigning unit that assigns a setting value based on storage location information specifying a storage location for each setting value; a compressing unit that converts each of the setting values thus assigned to have a format identifying each storage location, and generates compressed data therefrom; a storage unit that stores each piece of the compressed data compressed by the compressing unit in a storage location specified by the storage location information; a first decompressing unit and a second decompressing unit that decompress the compressed data stored in the storage location; a setting window displaying unit that displays a print setting window using each of the setting values obtained by decompression performed by the first decompressing unit; and a print data generating unit that generates print data using each of the setting values obtained by decompression performed by the second decompressing unit.

Abstract: Installing an application that is executed by an image forming apparatus includes detecting connection of an external storage device, requesting, if the external storage device whose connection is detected contains application data and device data including apparatus identification information identifying an image forming apparatus in which the application is installed and application identification information identifying the application installed in the image forming apparatus, license data on the application data identified based on the application identification information to the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information, and installing, in response to the request, the application data stored in the external storage device by using the license data if the license data is successfully acquired from the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information.

Abstract: A lenticular print and method of producing that substantially reduces progressive pixel misalignment to produce a lenticular print that has increased angular resolution. The lenticular print includes a dot matrix pixel arrangement that is rotated with respect to the X-Y axis of a printer. The printed output of the rotated dot matrix pixel arrangement requires substantially no re-sampling interpolation. The lenticular print includes a conventional lenticular sheet having a plurality of convex shaped lenticular elements wherein the axis of the lenticular elements are substantially aligned with the axis of the pixel direction.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a storing unit that stores image data of plural pages, an operating unit and a setting unit that sets the number of sheets used for N-up printing of the plural pages. A determining unit determines the number of pages aggregated on a single side of a single sheet when N-up printing is performed using the number of sheets set by the setting unit. An orientation selecting unit selects a paper orientation that lowers a reduction ratio of a page when N-up printing is performed on the number of pages determined by the determining unit. An image forming unit uses the image data stored in the storing unit to form images of the plural pages onto sheets according to the number of sheets set by the setting unit, the number of pages determined by the determining unit, and the selected paper orientation.

Abstract: An image processor and an image processing method are provided which can suppress both a bronzing phenomenon and a color rolling in an inkjet printing apparatus and produce high-quality monochrome pictures. To that end, a monochrome image is processed by generating the multivalued density data for a chromatic ink having a hue component opposite that of the achromatic ink in a low to medium density region and, in a high density region, generating the multivalued density data for a chromatic ink having a reflection light with a hue component opposite that of a reflection light of the achromatic ink. With this arrangement, a high-quality monochrome image can be produced which has hardly noticeable hue deviations and bronzing phenomenon in the entire density grayscale or density range.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for performing filling processing for input image data, comprises: a holding unit which holds, for a block formed from a predetermined number of pixels included in the image data, a representative color of the block generated by compression, a color layout of pixels included in the block, and an interpolation color which is a color other than the representative color included in the block; and a fill unit which performs filling processing of the compressed image data using the representative color, the color layout, and the interpolation color, when filling the block of the compressed image data with a specific color, the fill unit replacing the representative color corresponding to a position based on a type of the filling processing with the specific color and replacing the interpolation color with the same specific color as that of the representative color.

Abstract: A method for calculating characterization data of a printing process, is more manageable and less complicated than previously-known methods, in which determining printing tables for CMYK printing systems with special colors or for multicolor systems easily becomes unwieldy and complicated because of necessary colored areas in test elements. A test element supplies actual spectral data. By using subsets of this actual data, tonal value curves or tonal value gain curves, parameters of a model of the printing process for determining spectra of overprinted printing inks and adapted input variables, are determined in a calculating device in accordance with the model, taking into account the tonal value gain, to determine corrected tonal values or their spectra. Then only a few colored areas are needed to calculate characterization data. A test element for determining characterization data of a printing process and an apparatus for carrying out the method are also provided.

Abstract: An image processing device includes print processors for different colors, plural first conversion sections provided for each of the print processors, a second conversion section, and a controller. Each of the print processors performs printing of a corresponding color onto a recording medium. Each of the first conversion sections converts print data described in page description language into raster image data, and outputs the converted raster image data to the corresponding print processor. The second conversion section converts the print data into raster image data and outputs the converted raster image data to any of the print processors. The controller selectively performs a first control that causes the first conversion sections to convert the print data that has been input to the device in parallel, or a second control that causes the first conversion sections and the second conversion section to convert the input print data in parallel.

Abstract: A method for applying pagination includes receiving a request to print a report spanning multiple files, gathering, in response to the request, multiple attributes for the report, and selecting, according to the attributes, multiple pagination rules. Each pagination rule includes a pagination requirement. The method further includes after receiving the request, processing each file by obtaining a document from the file, selecting a pagination rule, corresponding to the document, generating a modified version of the document by applying the pagination requirement in the pagination rule to the document, and appending the modified version of the document to the report. The method further includes dispatching the report to a printer.

Abstract: An automated printout inspection system identifies glyphs in an image by calculating a connectedness score for each foreground pixel, and comparing this score with a specified threshold. The system further generates training images by simulating printouts from an impact printer, including the specifying of specific error types and their magnitudes. The simulated printouts are combined with scan images of real-world printout to train an automated printout inspection system. The inspection results of the automated system are compared with inspection results from human inspectors, and test parameters of the automated system are adjusted so that it renders inspection results within a specified range of the average human inspector.

Abstract: A computer program for, or method of, generating 1-bit image data from multiple-bit image data, by a process which comprises the steps of: receiving multiple-bit image data comprising multiple-bit pixel values; and deriving from the multiple-bit pixel values 1-bit image data comprising “on” and “off pixel values, each pixel value of the 1-bit image data corresponding to a pixel of an output medium, which pixel an output device would attempt to mark when printing the 1-bit image data if the pixel value were “on”, the 1-bit image data producing when printed an image constituted by dots, each dot corresponding to a plurality of pixel values of the 1-bit image data, which pixel values correspond to a block of M*N horizontally and/or vertically adjacent pixels of an output is medium, at least one of M and N being greater than one, wherein for at least some of the dots, where M or N is equal to one, a pixel value corresponding to a first or last pixel of a row of horizontally adjacent pixels, or to a first or last

Abstract: A process for receiving data comprising multiple-bit pixel values and deriving therefrom 1-bit image data comprising “on” and “off” pixel values, each corresponding to a pixel on an output medium, which an output device would attempt to mark when printing the 1-bit image data if the pixel value were “on”, the 1-bit image data producing when printed an image constituted by a plurality of densities of dots, the dots being arranged such that, at least for densities of dots greater than a first threshold density, at least a majority of dots form a pair with at least one horizontally or vertically adjacent dot, and for densities of dots less than a second threshold density, the image is substantially free of blocks of 2*2 horizontally and vertically adjacent dots, the second threshold density being greater than the first threshold density. Additionally or alternatively dot arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for reducing the pitch-to-pitch variation of color using pitch-based linearization of halftone screens are presented. A selection of images is printed at different pitches, and each image is measured and tracked with its pitch. Pitch-based TRCs are constructed using patches, which may be scheduled during print run or during machine diagnostic process and halftone dots are constructed and uploaded in the image path for each pitch. The updated dots are then used to produce a linearized halftone image for transfer to a print surface which results in improved color balance.

Abstract: An advantage of the invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a medium therefor, which enable shortening of processing time necessary for performing the whole color conversion in the case where only one of LUTs used for the color conversion can be stored in a storage means having a high access rate. In the image processing apparatus, for image data including a plurality of pixels and being a target for a color conversion, when performing the color conversion of the image data, a value of a counter for pictures, which indicates a predicted total number of references to an LUT for pictures, and a value of a counter for texts, which indicates a predicted total number of references to an LUT for texts, are derived.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who can not take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layered film wherein an engraving layer is partially printed onto a support film. Said engraving layer may be made of a UV-cured printing ink and a cover layer is applied to the entire surface above the partial engraving layer, optionally, directly to the partial engraving layer. The cover layer may be made of a UV-curable printing ink and may be printed over the engraving layer. A film produced by such method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which reads an image on a target includes a first housing, a transparent member which is provided on the first housing and has a placement face on which the target is placed, a positioning member on which the transparent member is placed, a second housing which is assembled on the first housing and biases the positioning member, and an engagement member which is provided on the second housing and engages with the positioning member. In the image reading apparatus, when the second housing is assembled on the first housing, the engagement member biases the positioning member so as to fix the transparent member to an attachment position.

Abstract: A scanner is mounted on a printer. A printer lid is pivotally mounted to the printer, and is moveable to open and close. A scanner lid is pivotally mounted to the scanner, and is moveable to open and close. A printer locking member and a scanner locking member are pivotally mounted to the scanner. Opening the scanner lid causes the printer locking member to pivot to lock the scanner to the printer. Opening the printer lid causes the scanner locking member to pivot to lock the scanner lid to the scanner. A scanner having a lid is pivotally mounted on a printer. When the lid is pivoted to open, a stopper may pivot together with the lid and abut the scanner, thereby stopping the lid. The stopper may pivot together with the lid and the scanner and abuts the printer, stopping the lid and the scanner.

Abstract: An object is to reduce operation load on a user when correcting the positional shift of tab document data with respect to a tab sheet. This invention provides a document processing method of a document processing apparatus, which includes acquiring tab sheet information to be used for printing, determining, based on the acquired tab sheet information and document data containing tab print data to be printed on the tab portion of a tab sheet, whether the tab print data is allocated on the tab portion of the tab sheet, and if it is determined that the tab print data is not allocated on the tab portion of the tab sheet, shifting the tab print data, based on the acquired tab sheet information and the document data containing the tab print data, so as to be allocated on the tab portion of the tab sheet.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes: an image scanning unit that includes plural light emitting elements and a light receiving portion receiving light emitted from the light emitting elements and reflected on a document and scans an image on the document; a light quantity information acquiring unit that acquires light quantity information on the quantity of light received by the light receiving portion while causing the light emitting elements to irradiate a reference member with light; a correction unit that corrects the scanned image, based on the light quantity information; and an abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality of the light emitting elements. If the abnormality detecting unit detects the abnormality, the light quantity information acquiring unit acquires new light quantity information while causing the light emitting elements to irradiate the reference member with light and the correction unit corrects the scanned image, based on the new light quantity information.

Abstract: A document scanner is disclosed. The document scanner includes a document bed having a document positioning surface. The document scanner further includes a scanner module slidably attached to the document bed. The scanner module includes an optical movement sensor configured to detect movement of the scanner module relative to the document positioning surface. A method of operation of the scanner module is disclosed as well.

Abstract: An image scanning device accepts an instruction to scan a double-sided document and scans a plurality of double-sided documents with respect to each page to produce image data. Image data is eliminated when a page is determined as being solid colored from the image data produced by the scanning section. Image data other than the eliminated image data is transmitted to the outside. When an instruction to scan a double-sided document is received from the outside and accepted, elimination of image data is prohibited.

Abstract: A component imaging method includes: an imaging preparation step of obtaining, for each of the plurality of components, an optimum lighting intensity; a component imaging step of using a line sensor and a lighting device, to integrally move the components relative to this line sensor, with the components being aligned in a main scanning direction of the line sensor, and to acquire images of the components while switching a lighting intensity of the lighting device sequentially to the optimum lighting intensity of each of the components for each imaging line; and an image processing step of compensating a line image, which is imaged at a lighting intensity other than the optimum lighting intensities, on the basis of a ratio of the lighting intensity at which the line image is obtained and the optimum lighting intensity of each of the components of the obtained component images, for the component image.

Abstract: A reader includes a housing with a platen on which a document is placed, a light source unit which moves along the platen and irradiates light toward the document, a mirror unit which works with the light source unit to define an optical path of the reflected light from the document in the housing, and a rotatable lock member mounted on one of the light source and mirror units. The housing includes an operation member, which is slid to fix the light source and mirror units, and a slide surface, which holds the sliding operation member. The lock member is rotated between an engaged position, where the lock member is engaged with another of the light source and mirror units, and a disengaged position, where the lock member is disengaged from the other of the light source and mirror units in response to slide operation of the operation member.

Abstract: An illumination system for a scanner according to one example embodiment includes an array of visible light emitting diodes including a red, a blue and a green light emitting diode and an ultraviolet light emitting device configured to emit light predominantly in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. During a scan sequence of the red, blue and green light emitting diodes, at least one of the visible light emitting diodes and the ultraviolet light emitting device are positioned to simultaneously illuminate an object being scanned. In one form, during the sequence, the blue light emitting diode and the ultraviolet light emitting device are simultaneously illuminated while in another the red light emitting diode and the ultraviolet light emitting device are simultaneously illuminated.