Abstract: According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus which performs a printing job and an erasing job is provided. Included is a control unit which, in a case of performing the other job after any one of the printing job and the erasing job, controls a transporting unit of the sheet so that the sheet for the other job is transported to a predetermined standby position from a sheet feeding unit while the one job is performed.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: a tray selection unit configured, based on print size information designated in print data, to select one of medium trays; an edit region setup unit configured, when the size of the print medium in the selected medium tray is different from print medium corresponding to the designated print medium size, to analyze the print data based on an orientation of the print medium in the selected medium tray and to set an edit region of the print data; a drawing unit configured, on the basis of the print data and the edit region, to create image data within the edit region; and an image formation unit configured to print the image data on the print medium fed from the selected medium tray.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an image capturing device determines a distortion of an image of a printing medium, wherein the image is captured by means of an image capturing device, such as an in-line camera or scanner, and wherein the image comprises a calibration pattern with a plurality of calibration marks printed on the printing medium. The calibration pattern comprises at least a first sub-set of calibration marks relating to a first separation and a second sub-set of calibration marks relating to a second separation. The distortion is determined by analyzing the first sub-set of calibration marks, and the image is corrected based on said determined distortion. The displacement of the second sub-set of calibration marks with respect to the first sub-set of calibration marks may then be determined. The invention may be employed in a wide range of printers and presses.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a computing system may involve providing a native format drier to a print client in order to print a document. In one example, a print document communication including a print document in native format may be transmitted to the target printer, and the print document may be converted from the native format to a target printer format at the target printer.

Abstract: A print data processing apparatus 2 which can perform a highly reliable digital print inspection at increased speed for variable printing includes an image processor 20 as a functional construction. This image processor 20 has an attribute information acquiring unit 21 for acquiring attribute information including arrangement information of objects constituting each page of the manuscript data, an extracting unit 22 for extracting at least one page per reuse part object from among pages including reuse part objects, a reference data creating unit 23 for creating reference data expressing an image state of the manuscript data, an RIP processing unit 24 for performing RIP processing of the manuscript data, an area specifying unit 25 for specifying areas of image data to be compared in the print inspecting process, and an image comparing unit 28 for comparing, by applying a compare algorithm, images in the areas specified by the area specifying unit 25.

Abstract: In the image processing device, a power supply unit outputs a drive voltage. The control unit is driven by the drive voltage and control the image processing unit. The monitoring unit performs a monitoring operation to determine whether the receiving unit receives the operation instruction. A monitoring unit outputs an activation instruction to the voltage conversion unit when the monitoring unit determines that the receiving unit receives the operation instruction. In response to the activation instruction from the monitoring unit, a voltage conversion unit performs a voltage conversion operation for converting a voltage applied by an external power source to the drive voltage. The voltage generating unit generates a control voltage based on a voltage applied by the external power source and applies the control voltage to both the monitoring unit and the voltage conversion unit.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores a data conversion program that converts pre-conversion type-format data for a first model of an image forming apparatus into post-conversion type-format data for a second model of the image forming apparatus. The data conversion program causes a computer to function as: i) a common-format conversion unit configured to convert the pre-conversion type-format data into common-format data of format independent of the model based on pre-conversion-data conversion rule information that indicates a rule for converting between the pre-conversion type-format data and the common-format data; and ii) a type-format conversion unit configured to convert the common-format data generated by the common-format conversion unit into the post-conversion type-format data based on post-conversion-data conversion rule information that indicates a rule for converting between the post-conversion type-format data and the common format data.

Abstract: In one example, a cloud-based printing service that calculates cumulative usage data of a consumable.

Abstract: In one example, an email address of a network-connected printer is stored. A print authorization code is stored. A confidential-sender email address is received and stored. After the receiving and storing of the confidential-sender email address, an email is received. The email is an email sent to the printer address, and includes a print job. Responsive to determining the email was sent from the confidential-sender address, the print job is stored. Responsive to receiving the print-authorization code, the print job is sent to the printer for printing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing a document over a network are described. In one implementation, the printing system (102) comprises a processor (104); and a printer console (114) coupled to the processor(104). The printing console (114) receives a print job from a user, the print job comprising a unique resource identifier (URI) of a document which is to be printed and print parameters associated with the print job. The printing system (102) also comprises a web access module (118) coupled to the processor(104), to download the document over the network and a printer unit (122) coupled to the processor(104), to print the document based on the print parameters.

Abstract: A printing control device that sends print data to a printer can automatically configure the driver corresponding to the printer, and enables using a single printer driver to drive printers of the same model. A printing control device that sends print data to and controls printing by a printer includes: a storage unit that stores settings information for generating the print data; a configuration unit that acquires information set in the printer at a specific time, and stores the acquired information as the settings information in the storage unit; and a generating unit that generates the print data based on the settings information stored in the storage unit when printing by the printer is requested.

Abstract: A printer that receives requests to print on plural different media enables efficient system maintenance and system changes. A printer connected in a daisy chain to a host device or a first printer on one side and to a second printer on the other side has a communication unit that receives print request data from the host device or the first printer, and sends the print request data to the second printer; a print unit that interprets the received print request data and executes a printing control process based on the result of data interpretation; and a response unit that generates individual response data for the printer based on the result of the printing control process, generates unified response data from response data received from the second printer and the individual response data, and sends the unified response data to the host device or the first printer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that facilitates management of information security policy even for an extended application installed from exterior. A scanning unit scans an original to generate image data of the original. A printing unit prints an image based on image data. A management unit manages applications dynamically installed. At least one of the applications executes a job using at least one of the scanning unit and the printing unit. A setting unit sets an operation mode for the image forming apparatus, based on security settings that are received from an external apparatus. A determination unit determines whether each of the applications supports the security settings. A control unit restricts an operation of an application that the determination unit determines that the application does not support the security settings.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of acquiring to-be-printed data from any of external image forming devices, without making inquiries about the presence or absence of the to-be-printed data to all the external image forming devices. An image forming apparatus receives, from another image forming apparatus that has received print data, bibliographic information containing identification information that identifies the another image forming apparatus, and registers the received bibliographic information. When receiving a bibliographic information acquisition request, the image forming apparatus transmits bibliographic information, among pieces of bibliographic information registered in the image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the bibliographic information acquisition request.

Abstract: There is provided a power supply apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a power supply system including a power supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power to an external device, a received power information reception unit configured to receive received power information representing the power received by the external device, and a power supply control unit configured to control the power supply unit to turn ON/OFF the power supply based on a set power set on the power supply unit and the received power represented by the received power information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of flexibly controlling whether or not to perform user authentication when a user performs operations related to functions of the apparatus. When a user instructs the apparatus to perform any of operations related to a secure print job which is a print job executed by using a secure print function, when the apparatus is operated in a function-based authentication mode, it is determined whether or not a user-selected function of a plurality of functions including at least a secure printing function for printing data in response to an input of a password requires user authentication. When the secure printing function is specified as the user-selected function and it is determined that the user-selected function does not require user authentication, the user is allowed to use the secure printing function, even if the user is not authenticated.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an authentication system includes a supply device having a data storage chip with identification (ID) bit memory cells. The ID bit memory cells comprising a measured cell, pointer cells to store address information that points to the measured cell, and analog cells that store factory-measured analog information about the measured cell.

Abstract: A system for managing a print job is disclosed. Print job data is intercepted prior to being printed by a printer and a print job package is generated including the print job data as intercepted and metadata on the print job data, the print job data as intercepted being extractable from the print job package.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system, non-transitory computer-readable medium and method for printing. A configuration is associated with a printing device. If a print request is received from an untrustworthy source, the print request is associated with the configuration such that the printing device handles the print request in accordance with the configuration.

Abstract: A plug-in distribution system includes a distribution server and an image processing apparatus. The distribution server distributes a plug-in. The image processing apparatus is connected to the distribution server via a network and receives a plug-in from the distribution server and uses the received plug-in. In response to a request to distribute a plug-in from the image processing apparatus, the distribution server sets a function for the requested plug-in in accordance with function setting information which is set for each plug-in and for each distribution destination, and distributes the plug-in to the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: A control device includes a storage unit in which a parameter group for setting an operational content of an electronic apparatus and functional information related to a function realized when the parameter group is set are stored in correspondence with each other; a reception unit that receives an operation; an extraction unit that extracts the functional information from the storage unit when a changing operation for changing at least one parameter is received by the reception unit, the functional information corresponding to the parameter changed by the changing operation; a presentation unit that presents the extracted functional information; and a setting unit that reads the parameter group corresponding to the presented functional information from the storage unit and sets the parameter group when the reception unit receives a usage confirmation operation for confirming that the function corresponding to the presented functional information is to be used.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium has a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer of a terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with a printer. The computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform operations including: a position registration process of registering information, which indicates a first position for acquiring related information, with a storage unit in the terminal apparatus; a terminal position acquisition process of acquiring terminal position information indicative of a position of the terminal apparatus; an information acquisition process of acquiring the related information corresponding to a current status of the printer in a case where the position of the terminal apparatus is within a specific range that is defined on the basis of the first position; and an output process of outputting the acquired related information.

Abstract: A system comprises: a processing unit which performs layout processing on data of a job; a holding unit which holds, in a storage unit, identification information of an image forming apparatus, identification information of the job and content of the layout processing performed on the data of the job by the processing unit in association with each other; a unit which transmits the data that has undergone the layout processing to the image forming apparatus and obtains history information of the processed job; and a tally unit which performs tally processing with respect to the processed job, by using the history information and the content of the layout processing held in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the history information and identification information of the job in the history information.

Abstract: If a web service transmits a registration request to a web server apparatus, and if the same URL as the URL received from the web service is already registered in a web service management table of the web server apparatus, the web server apparatus registers the web server in the web service management table after determining that the extension determination condition received from the web service is not the same as an extension determination condition registered in the web service management table.

Abstract: With a method for transmitting process-control data before and/or during a printing process for the production of printed products in a printing press, the data are detected at least with the aid of at least one print mark that is effectively connected to a printed product. The data obtained from the print mark are transmitted and/or transferred to at least one processing unit that is arranged downstream of the printing operation. Within the printing process, the data obtained from the print mark are subjected continuously to at least one redundant check in at least one downstream-arranged processing unit, with respect to the data determined during the integral printing process and/or with respect to a further processing location for the printed products which is specified ahead of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a communication unit for receiving unmodified data and modified data obtained when the unmodified data is modified; an image-reading unit for reading a confirmation document over which commentary has been written, and generating scan data; a storage unit for storing the unmodified data, the modified data, and the scan data; a comparison processing unit for comparing the unmodified data, the modified data, and the scan data, and recognizing confirmation places of the modified data, which are modified places that correspond to the commentary and have been modified from the unmodified data; and a printing unit for printing only those pages of the modified data that comprise the confirmation places recognized by the comparison processing unit.

Abstract: An image transmission system includes an image transmission apparatus and a client apparatus connected to a network. The image transmission apparatus distributes, via the network, a search message for searching for the client apparatus, transmits a request of the address information to the client apparatus that has transmitted a reply message for replying to the search message, displays one or more addresses included in address information that has been transmitted from the client apparatus, and transmits the image to the address among the one or more addresses. The client apparatus manages the address information, transmits the reply message to the image transmission apparatus that has transmitted the search message, and transmits the address information to the image transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus includes: a first position receiving unit configured to receive terminal position information indicating a position of the terminal apparatus; a receiving unit configured to receive a plurality of distance information corresponding to each of printers that are printer candidates to execute a printing, wherein each of the plurality of distance information is generated on the basis of coordinate information, which includes information of a latitude and a longitude indicating a position of the corresponding printer, and the terminal position information; a choosing unit configured to preferentially choose a printer having a short distance to the terminal apparatus from the printers based on the distance information; and a printing instruction unit configured to transmit a printing instruction for printing execution to a specific printer of the one or more chose printers.

Abstract: A terminal device configured to support selection of a printer, the terminal device including: a first processor; and a first memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform: registering area information which defines an area including a location of a printer and is for associating the area with the printer located in the area; acquiring the registered area information; acquiring terminal position information which represents the position of the terminal device; and specifying a candidate of a printer to be used based on the area information and the terminal position information, wherein the area is defined based on three or more positions.

Abstract: A terminal device configured to perform: acquiring area information which defines an area including a location of a printer and is for associating the area with the printer located in the area; acquiring terminal position information which represents a position of the terminal device; determining whether the terminal device is positioned in the area based on the area information and the terminal position information; transmitting, when the terminal device is positioned in the area, a print instruction that instructs the printer located in the area to perform printing; and displaying, when the terminal device is not positioned in the area, printer-related information, which relates to a printer capable of performing printing based on a print instruction from the terminal device and is for selecting a printer for performing printing, on a display unit.

Abstract: A POS system 1 includes a printer unit 21 or other device; a tablet device 10 including a display unit that displays a browser, a browser execution unit 26a that processes information related to the device by an application that runs on the browser, and a connection unit 45 that communicates information related to the device; and a control device 11 including a first communication unit 71 that communicates with the device, a second communication unit 50 that communicates with the tablet device 10, and a device controller 20a that controls the device based on device-related information sent from the tablet device 10.

Abstract: There is provided a management server in which a print log analysis unit of a device management application analyzes a job log collected from an MFP device to detect a pair of reprint related jobs, determines whether a reprinted job is useless or useful for the detected pair of jobs, and a print log analysis result report generation unit generates an analysis result report based on a determination result to outputs the generated report. If a detection result includes a pair of jobs, in which one job has been printed based on default print settings and the other job has been reprinted based on changed print settings, it is determined that the job printed based on the default print settings is a useless job.

Abstract: An operation device receives information indicating an image processing job to be executed according to specific image processing settings and sends an execution check request to each one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses. The operation device displays, at a display, one or more image processing apparatuses capable of executing and currently available to perform the image processing job according to the specific image processing settings, based on responses respectively received from the plurality of image processing apparatuses.

Abstract: In an operation unit, a display panel displays a two-sided copy setting screen image including a still image display area on which a plurality of software keys (two-sided copy setting keys) corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of processes (one-sided/one-sided copy process, one-sided/two-sided copy process, two-sided/two-sided copy process and two-sided/one-sided copy process), for selecting any of the plurality of processes, are displayed. A touch-panel receives an input operation to the plurality of software keys. In response to the touch-panel receiving the input operation, a CPU displays, on a movie display area different from the still image display area of the two-sided copy setting screen image, an image representing contents of the selected process in a prescribed state.

Abstract: The present invention is applicable to a peripheral device which performs processing based on information from an information processing device. The peripheral device of present invention is characterized by a storage unit, which stores in it a program of controlling of designated processing, and stores in it data for controlling the peripheral device, and by a communication unit which sends the program stored in the storage unit to the information processing device, and by a control unit which controls operation of the peripheral device based on an instruction information written into the storage unit upon execution of the program on the information processing device.

Abstract: Provided is an information sharing system which allows setting information relating to a second communication device to be shared with a first communication device. The information sharing system includes an information collection device that retains the setting information and is communicatively connected to the first communication device, and a management device that makes a request for transmission of the setting information with respect to the information collection device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a writing control device including: a storing unit comprising N HDDs, N being an integer which is 2 or more; a data division unit configured to divide data to be written in the storing unit into N unequal division data; and a writing control unit configured to dispersedly store the N division data in the N HDDs in parallel, wherein the N division data include a first division data and a second division data having a larger data size than the first division data, and the writing control unit writes the second division data in tracks of a portion of the HDD, which is positioned on an outer side than a portion in which the first division data is written.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a memory area management portion generates a descriptor for a block storage area allocated in each of a first work memory and a second work memory, and generates sub-band management data associated with the descriptor for the block storage area in which compressed sub-band data is stored, sequentially according to arrangement of the sub-band data in the primary scanning direction and the secondary scanning direction in image data. A data loading portion changes, according to a rotation angle, the association between the sub-band management data and the descriptor after the compressed sub-band data is stored in the second work memory. A decompression processing portion performs rotating process in the sub-band data according to the rotation angle.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first determination unit determining an attribute of an image data described in a page description language; a second determination unit determining whether there exists a data having high color saturation in the image data; a third determination unit determining a main hue in the image data; and a determination unit determining an optimal printing method for printing the image data based on determination results by the first, the second, and the third determination units.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to printing a document are disclosed. A computer server may receive decoded document metadata and locate a document in a document repository using the document metadata. The server may determine whether the document metadata is indicative of a most recent version of the document and, if not, retrieve the most recent version of the document. The server may also create a tag for the retrieved most recent version of the document comprised of up to date document metadata in which the tag data is embedded in a graphic that is merged with the most recent version of the document. The server may create a print job for the most recent version of the document and send the print job to a network enabled printer over a network connection.

Abstract: A logic module is to identify whether to print a standard printout or an erasable printout. A print module is to print the erasable printout in response to the identifying by the logic module. The erasable printout includes an erasable feature not present in the standard printout.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image output device includes an image processor to receive input image data, and a line screen to represent halftone images and have multiple screen angles respectively allocated to different colors including yellow, magenta, and cyan. The line screen satisfies requirements of (A) a predetermined difference is secured between adjacent two of the multiple screen angles; (B) zero is not allocated to any of the multiple screen angles; and (C) among the multiple screen angles determined by the requirements (A) and (B), a screen angle closest to 90 degrees is allocated to yellow among yellow, magenta, and cyan.

Abstract: An embodiment implements a methodology for printing non-saturated text and lines in a way that removes the jagged edge problem. An embodiment uses a combination of two screens, e.g. AM screening and applying pure color. For example, according to the embodiment, the closer to the edge from the interior of text or lines, the less amplitude modulation half toning is applied and the more actual color or contone is applied. A particular algorithm for determining and using a blending parameter is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating scanning devices are described. The method comprises dividing a dark scan image of a calibration strip into one or more regions. The dark scan image is further analyzed to obtain at least one data point from each of the one or more regions. Further, calibration values for each of the one or more regions are computed based on the at least one data point for calibrating the scanning device. The calibration values include mean and standard deviation of the data points for each of the one or more regions.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes first electronic circuit and one or a plurality of second electronic circuits. The first electronic circuit has a first buffer for storing information, and is configured to execute predetermined first information processing by reading out information from a memory connected via a first transmission path, and write the information processed by the first information processing into the memory. The one or plurality of second electronic circuits have a second buffer for storing information, and are connected to the first electronic circuit via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path, and the one or plurality of second electronic circuits are configured to execute second information processing different from the first information processing. The first electronic circuit is configured to execute the first information processing, using the second buffer of the second electronic circuit that is in an unused state and the first buffer.

Abstract: A reading unit includes a carriage extending in a first direction, and an image sensor configured to be supported by the carriage, and having a case extending in the first direction and a plurality of light receiving elements contained in the case and arranged in the first direction. The carriage has a reference surface, a pair of supporting portions provided at two end sides in the first direction, and one end edge positioned on one side, with respect to the reference surface, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the reference surface, and the case has a pair of supported portions provided to correspond to the pair of supporting portions and configured to be supported swingably by the corresponding supporting portions. The case is configured to swing about a first axis between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a light source, an imaging section, and a controller. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements. The light source irradiates light to an original document, while moving relative to the original document. The imaging section obtains scan data read from the original document by light irradiated to the original document from the light source. The controller controls the light source and the imaging section. The controller determines a read target region and a non-read target region in the original document, turns on a light emitting element out of the plurality of light emitting elements, which corresponds to the read target region, and turns off a light emitting element out of the plurality of light emitting elements, which corresponds to the non-read target region.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device includes: a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light into electrical signals for respective pixels and outputs the electrical signals; a signal separation unit that separates an offset signal, which is generated due to dark current, from each of the electrical signals outputted by the photoelectric conversion unit and outputs image signals which are electrical signals converted from light for the respective pixels; and a signal adding unit that adds the image signals, which is outputted from the signal separation unit, for each group of a plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first tray, a frame member, and a feeder. The frame member includes a first wall portion facing in a width direction and a first tray portion disposed above the first tray and extending inward in the width direction from the first wall portion. The first tray has a first end on a side far from the feeder. The first tray portion of the frame member has a second end on the side far from the feeder and a third end on a side near the feeder. The second end is closer to the feeder than the first end. The first wall portion extends from the third end toward the first end.