Abstract: Architecture for providing tab printing for a computer platform. A text data stream is generated and transmitted from the computer platform to a print controller, which text data steam includes tab information. The text data stream is parsed at the print controller to extract the tab information. A tab image file of the tab information is created from the tab information at the print controller. A face file is created from the tab image file, ad forwarded to a peripheral output device, where the peripheral output device processes the face file to output a tab document having the tab information.

Abstract: An information processing system which can easily perform a printing process irrespective of a restriction of an output paper size which can be defined by the user, effectively adds a page frame, and can perform the printing process. To accomplish the above object, according to the invention, an information processing apparatus for executing the printing process has: an input device for inputting an arbitrary first output paper size included in a predetermined second output paper size; and a layout device for arranging a plurality of pages of the first output paper size to one page of the second output paper size.

Abstract: A device-information-holding section holds inherent device information including the control information to be possessed by an image-forming device. A condition-setting section sets a reference value to specific device information in the above device information as a condition. A character-data-generating section determines whether the device information fetched from the device-information-holding section meets the above set condition, adds predetermined color information to the device information in accordance with the determination result, and converts the device information into character-string data. An image-data-generating section converts the above converted character-string data into character-image data. An image-data-storing section stores the above converted character-image data. An image-forming section reads the character-image data from the image-data-storing section and forms an image based on the character-image data on an image-recording medium.

Abstract: A system and process for generating and using mixed raster content files is described. MRC files may be created directly from an application, rather than being processed from a composite image, to separate a single image into background, foreground, and selection masks for each page. Also, an improved MRC structure is described in which only relevant portions are contained in background, foreground, and selection layers for each page.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for managing calibration files in a printing system. Patches are printed using a screening algorithm and incorporating at least one output appearance factor. A calibration file is generated from measured color values of the printed patches mapping a color space for the printed patches to a color space of a printer used to print the patches. Information is associated with the calibration file indicating the printer and at least one output appearance attribute for use in selecting one calibration file to use when printing a print job.

Abstract: A printing system for use in printing objects of any of a plurality of different object types includes a printer; and a printer control device with a user interface having a first option for associating printer-independent print-quality characteristics with a selected object type to be printed by said printer. A printer-independent print-quality characteristic is an instruction associated with an element, such as object type, in an electronic page which indicates printer-independent features that are preferentially emphasized when printing the element. Examples of printer-independent print quality characteristics include “make sharp edges”, “reduce mottle”, “distinguish neighboring colors”, “reduce moiré”, “distinguish tone and edges”, “maximum tone depth”, “perceptual colors” and “compress without loss of detail”.

Abstract: An operating system font is created from a printer metrics file. The printer metrics file includes at least one set of font metrics. Each set of font metrics represents one font. The printer metrics file is opened and the font metrics are read. A system font is created from each set of font metrics. The system font is created by applying the font metrics to a font template. The font template with the applied font metrics is saved as a system font. The system font is then installed and registered with the operating system. A name of the operating system font is recorded with a printer driver associated with the printer metrics file.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus for controlling operation of a peripheral device, e.g., a printer. The data processing apparatus is adaptable to different operation environments of a peripheral device, e.g., geographic difference. Control means of the peripheral device stores a local ID indicative of environment data e.g., a country where the device is used. The local ID is acquired, and then a resource file corresponding to the local ID is acquired. The resource file stores control data of the peripheral device, which changes in correspondence with environment data. Based on the control data, setting of the peripheral device is performed. The local ID is stored so that the local ID can be used in the subsequent processing.

Abstract: A printer system for modifying the printer's output includes a program for the printer which is not compatible with the printer with a managing program for modifying the program. A substitution table substitutes a portion of the program that is not compatible and, a processor in the printer receives the substitution table and modifies the program. The system uses a method of printing with the non-compatible program by providing a program not compatible with the printer and then creating a character substitution table with characters compatible with the printer. The character substitution table is stored in the printer and the stored characters are adapted to the printer with the non-compatible program.

Abstract: An image forming device defines a reference line count, determines whether or not the number of lines of basic character strings to be formed which is arranged in an edit image forming memory area exceeds in number any of one or more n-th predetermined line counts, and calculates an n-th post-omission line count for notifying omission of lines from each n-th predetermined line count which the number of characters strings is determined to exceed by inserting an n-th predetermined line overflow notifying character string indicative of an excess in line count over each n-th predetermined line count between an end of a line of the basic character strings immediately before the count of lines of the basic character strings exceeds the n-th post omission line count and a head of the following line.

Abstract: A system and method of using character set matching to identify the matching or best-matching font to print text of indeterminate language are presented. Today's operating systems do not provide the native tools and functions to easily display text of unknown language or multiple languages. The complexity of any underlying code that handles a multilingual display is sharply increased due to the text being segmented into multiple text runs. The invention employs character set engine that provides necessary character set guessing functionality, as well as an enumerator module to build a linked list of suitable output fonts to display text from an arbitrary language, and multilingual text. Output on a laser, inkjet or other printing apparatus can be granted by traversing that list.

Abstract: In case of temporarily spooling an intermediate language by a printer driver, a high speed print can be performed by suppressing a size and the number of holding data. The printer driver adds a tag of each draw object type to information of a draw command received through a DDI function and holds the resultant information into a primary buffer together with attributes such as draw position information, color information, pattern information, and draw logic information. When the information is held into the primary buffer, if there is a draw object which has already been held, if the types and the draw attributes of the draw objects are identical, the draw object is additionally registered into the primary buffer. If one of “type is different”, “data cannot be fully stored into the primary buffer”, “draw attribute changes”, and “page process is completed” is satisfied, a PDF (Page Data File) is generated from the draw object which has already been held in the primary buffer and spooled.

Abstract: An output device can be quickly and easily set to the operating parameters required for a particular output process according to data received from a host device. The output device has RAM that temporarily stores the operating parameters, a memory initialization processor that initializes the volatile memory in response to a specific input, a controller that stores operating parameter values for controlling the output device into the RAM in response to one or more first commands from the host device. A second command from the host device causes a first operating parameter controller to save the operating parameters from RAM into a flash ROM. A second operating parameter controller responds to a third command from the host device by storing information into the flash ROM indicative of whether operating parameter data in the flash ROM should be automatically loaded after the memory initialization process.

Abstract: An edited image is created using fonts capable of being employed by both a client computer and a server. To accomplish this, the user of the computer selects a service to be utilized. Client information, which includes the service selected, information relating to the operating system of the computer and information relating to fonts that can be utilized by the computer, is transmitted to the server. The latter creates a list of fonts that can be utilized by the computer and transmits the data of the created font list and editing home-page data to the computer. The user of the computer decides fonts to be used in the edited image from among the fonts that have been transmitted and edits the image by using these fonts. Information for editing is transmitted from the client computer to the server, where the edited image is then printed out.

Abstract: The method and apparatus processing photographic print represent a plurality of images arranged in a two-dimensional array on a display screen wherein images arranged at least in a one-dimensional direction in succession among the plurality of images are images processed states of which are gradually changed in at least one attribute of image proceeding and perform image verification based on the thus represented plurality of images. The method and apparatus are capable of enhancing efficiency and quality of verification by representing a plurality of images corresponding to changes of processing conditions at a time and comparing a plurality of the thus represented images with each other by an operator.

Abstract: A printer equipped with a copy function is capable of carrying out a two-set double-sided printing, using a series of printing papers, each of which has a printed content on one side and a blank page on the other side. With the aid of a built-in processing unit, such a series of the printing papers are regarded as serial pairs of two adjacent printing papers, and an image on one side of each printing paper is read by an image sensor, and then copied on the other side of the printing paper adjacent thereto. When the number of all the printing papers is odd, an image read on one side from the last printing paper is copied on one side of a supplementary paper sheet. When the total number n of the printing papers initially read out is even, printing paper are sequentially fed to said image printer, and printing papers, each of which is placed on a paper feed tray for printing in such a manner that its blank page on the other side is printable, are received in the order of reading by the image printer.

Abstract: In a printing control apparatus and method for performing printing by a printing device based upon a print job, a password corresponding to a print job is entered and print data with the accompanying password is generated and sent from a host computer to a printer, where the print data is to be printed. The host computer is capable of setting any information for the document name and user name associated with the print job. When the printer receives and prints the print data to which the password has been appended, the printer displays the user name and document name associated with the print job and performs printing in response to entry of the corresponding password by the user.

Abstract: A system generates the report to include a header section representing information, a parts section listing line items, and a footer section representing information. The system prints a first page of the report including the header section, a first parts subsection, and the footer section. The first parts subsection lists a quantity of line items that is less than or equal to a first number. The system prints any additional pages of the report to include a header subsection, subsequent parts subsection, and a footer subsection. The header subsection represents a portion of the information represented by the header section, and the footer subsection represents a portion of the information represented by the footer section. The subsequent parts subsection(s) lists a quantity of line items that is less than or equal to a second number.

Abstract: A method and system for removing redundant or repeated information from a multiple-page document file is described. A master prolog is created for storing information which is repeated in two or more pages within the document file. Repeated information that is stored in both the master prolog and one or more pages within the document file are identified. The repeated information is then removed from one or more of the pages within the document file. The master prolog is implemented within one or more of the pages to provide a more efficient representation of the repeated information.

Abstract: A system is provided for distributing in a retail environment one or more packets of information selected from the group consisting of redeemable coupons, forms, messages, tickets, warnings and written packets to potential recipients of said packets from a receiver-printer-dispenser at a remote location.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a plurality of image processing sections for performing predetermined image processing on input image data and for outputting the processed image data. A header in which image processing information is described is added to the input image data in order to create packet data, and the created packet data is transferred sequentially to a plurality of image processing sections. A given image processing section inputs the transferred packet data, performs image processing on the image data in accordance with the image processing information described in the header, recreates packet data by adding a header in which the image processing information is rewritten to the image data after processing, and outputs the recreated packet data. Thus, even in a state in which the number of pieces of image data, the amount of the management information thereof, etc., are large, it is possible to easily manage image processing without imposing a large load on a CPU.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method capable of reducing the processing time with relatively low cost is provided. In a printing apparatus and a printing method in which print data is created from received job data in accordance with an indication of a command associated with the job data, execution time of each command associated with the received job data is measured, execution number of times of said each command is counted, one or more command(s) to be subjected to replacement processing is determined on the basis of the acquired execution time and execution number of times of each command, and the one or more command(s) is replaced with other command(s) which can be executed in shorter time compared to the determined command(s).

Abstract: A font synchronization system ensures that fonts which are specified in the creation of a document are the same as those that are employed in the subsequent handling and printing of the document. Each font that is utilized within a document, or available in a printing system, is characterized by a font reference that unambiguously identifies significant features of the font. Font references associated with a document are compared with those available on a computer resource, to see if two fonts are the same in all significant respects. If the fonts are not the same, the comparison process identifies the areas of difference between them, so that a determination can be made whether such differences are critical to the appearance of the document. A number of font references are encapsulated within a font profile, to identify the fonts that are available for use within a particular environment, such as a service bureau.

Abstract: The transmission and reproduction of an original document transferred via a data network can be assured when the printing mechanism generates a unique serial number for the document being printed. The sender of the document is assured that the intended recipient received the document, paid for it, and was able to print it by receipt of the unique serial number and a request for an encryption key by which certain information in the document was encrypted.

Abstract: Utilization of non-printing high-spatial-frequency auxiliary pixels are introduced into the bitmap of a font to obtain local control of the text image development by modification of local average voltage in the development nip. These auxiliary pixels embody frequencies or levels of charge that are past the threshold for printing on the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) curve, and therefore by themselves result in no toner deposition on the resultant page. These auxiliary pixels will however, position the toner cloud by modulating it and compensate for cleaning field and toner supply effects. This will better position the toner cloud to ensure adequate toner supply to all parts of the font so that the desired printing pixels will print as intended.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image of multilevel image data includes a driving unit for driving an image forming element for image formation, an additional data generating unit for generating a digital signal string based on predetermined additional data, and an input unit for superposing a digital signal string related to the multilevel image data and the digital signal string based on the additional data and inputting the superposed digital signal string to the driving unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a printer, by which an image is printed in a raster mode by counting the number of functions that affect the printing speed from the image, and a method thereof are provided. In this printer controlling method, a page area to be printed is classified into image data and font data, when a printing command is received from an application. Next, the image data is divided into objects and processed in units of objects. Then, the number of functions for outputting the processed objects is counted. If the counted value is equal to or greater than a limit value, the page area is converted into a bitmap.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing a double sided imposition verification on sheets (7) of paper or another material of impositions (9) prepared by means of digital data (1, 2) and comprising several print pages consisting of text and/or images, and comprising a printing unit (3) in the form of a plotter/printer having a paper magazine (4) and means (5) for feeding one sheet (7) of paper at the time into the printing unit (3), means (17) for guiding said sheet (7) of paper into the printing unit (3) and for turning said sheet (7) of paper for making it possible to print said sheet of paper on both sides thereof, means (24) for observing the existence of sheets (7) of paper in the feeder unit, and means (25) for observing the front/rear edge of a sheet of paper, feeder and stop means (22, 23, 26<->14) for the sheet of paper, and means for turning the direction of rotation of the feeding-in and feeding-out means (22, 23) for sheets (7) of paper into and out from, respectively, said printing roll (14

Abstract: There is provided a process and an image formation apparatus for enhancing the image quality of an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile and a complex machine employing an electrophotographic technique, capable of obtaining a good image quality even though the image is formed on a thick paper such as an envelope. The process includes the steps of: storing image data to be printed at a memory if a print demand is received; detecting the kind of paper selected by a user; editing by reducing the number of pixels of the image data at a certain rate if the detected paper is a thick; and transmitting the edited image data to the LSU and performing the printing work for the edited image data.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods that facilitate printing and controlling the printing process for multiple documents on a printing apparatus are provided. Multiple users may select a document for printing by interacting with control menus available at the printing site. In one embodiment, a printing system for processing one or more print requests includes: a print queue for storing data associated with one or more print requests, the print requests stored in a queue in the order received; a display screen for displaying the content of the print queue; control interface for controlling the processing order of the print requests in the queue; and executable code stored in a memory, wherein execution of the code by a processor causes the processor to process the print requests stored in the queue in response to user interaction with the control interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the creation and use of simple and complex templates. The system includes providing the template where the template contains a plurality of tags, and then applying the template to the image based on the tags. The plurality of tags provide instructions for the application of a plurality of plane files to be applied to the image. The method and system in accordance with the present invention automates the process of applying templates to images which reduces the required amount of user time for the interface. Its use of tags to store the template requires less storage space. The method and system in accordance with the present invention thus saves the user considerable time and effort in applying templates. It also require less processing time over manual template creation methods.

Abstract: A display signal for character “A” has a structure comprising multiple layers (layers a to d) at the resolution of, for instance, level n to level n+3. The higher the level is, the high resolution of a print image is. A display signal at a required level is selected according to a purpose of printing. When a desired level is selected, a corresponding layer is extracted by a format changing section. For instance, when the level n+2 is selected, the layer c is extracted. Printing is executed with the resolution at this level n+2. Selection of resolution can be made in the side of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A bar code or similar symbol can be printed accurately within a specified printing area by a printer for printing such symbols. The printer has a symbol image generator for converting display data to a symbol and has hardware or software for reporting the size of the converted symbol to a host device. The host sends specific commands and text data for representation in the printed symbol to the printer for printing. As a result, the host can confirm whether printing within the specific area is possible.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus communicating with a printer through a predetermined communication medium, in which a printer command forming unit constructs a print image by analyzing a drawing command formed by an operating system and forms a printer control command based on the print image; a first obtaining unit obtains feature information to presume print processing times by the printer command forming unit where a specific compression method is used and where it is not used; a discriminating unit discriminates whether the printer command forming unit should use the specific compression method or not based on the feature information obtained by the first obtaining unit; and a controller switches and controls whether to apply the specific compression method in forming the printer command based on a discrimination result of the discriminating unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with an input terminal for inputting a page description language composed of an image-forming command, an analyzing unit for detecting whether image deterioration will occur or not upon printing by analyzing a content of the page description language inputted by the input terminal and a rewriting part for rewriting the content of the inputted page description language according to the result of the detection by the analyzing unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a proof set of a digital print job and delaying the completion of the print job until the proof set is approved are presented. The invention further includes generation of a proof set that includes print feature information on a page basis printed on the proof set in a watermark font.

Abstract: A method for examining font files for corruption involves an font manager communicating with a remote font server which stores uncorrupted font files. A portion of the font file to be checked for corruption may be compared with the uncorrupted font file to determine whether the file is corrupted. If the file is corrupted, an uncorrupted font file may be downloaded to the font manager to replace a portion of the corrupted font file containing the actual font file as opposed to a portion of the font file which may include other information such as kerning information.

Abstract: A printer and a printer driver automatically execute setting processing relevant to information unique to each printer without a user's intervention. Printer language specifications indicating a correspondence between plot objects and printer languages are stored. Printer language specifications setting data predetermined for the printer language specifications are generated. Control language specifications indicating a correspondence between control elements and control languages are stored. Control language specifications setting data predetermined for the control language specifications are generated. According to a trigger instructing a host PC to start transmission, the generated language specifications setting data to a bi-directional communication part are transmitted. The bi-directional communication part transmits the received language specifications setting data through a transmission path to the host PC.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is, when transferring a group of character data to an area, if there are the characters which are left since they are more than the area can receive due to the size of the area or the format, to prevent those characters from being left not arranged and to simplify the manipulation therefor. In order to attain the above object, when arranging the character data in the area which is specified in order to output the character data therefrom, any of the characters which are left since they are more than the area can receive is extracted to be stored in another area, whereby it is made possible to display only those characters in another area, an area having an empty display area contained therein, or the like. In addition, it is made possible to discriminate, every area, that there are such overflow characters.

Abstract: An output device (103,104) can be quickly and easily set to the operating parameters required for a particular output process. The output device has RAM (204) that temporarily stores the control parameters, and flash ROM (206) that stores the same parameter values in a nonvolatile manner. Specific parameter values are stored in RAM (204) in response to a specific command from the host (102). A customization command causes the output device (103,104) to save the operating parameters from RAM (204) into the flash ROM (206). Another customization command causes the output device (103,104) to restore the parameters from flash ROM (206) to RAM (204). A particular operating environment defined by the parameters stored in nonvolatile memory can therefore be quickly reset en masse.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that enable efficient use of code information storage areas and can rapidly process code information to render characters. A character data management unit stores reference information for referencing the shape data of a character indicated by inputted character data in an intermediate code buffer in association with an intermediate code. Thereby, a data amount of the intermediate code buffer is reduced. At the same time, reference information for referencing the intermediate code is stored in a font cache buffer in association with the character shape data. By dint of the mutual reference, when character shape data is to be saved from, e.g.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for producing prints, such as post cards, etc. The print producing apparatus includes a processor to generate a second character information by applying a first processing to a first character information and to generate a second image information by applying a second processing, being different from the first processing, to a first image information, after extracting the first character information and the first image information separately from a first image data which includes the first character information and the first image information, so as to generate a second image data which includes the second character information and the second image information, and a printer to produce prints by forming images, based on the second image data generated by the processor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which is able to output menu items and set values provided for the respective menu items, outputs the set value changed from the factory default set value and the menu item corresponding to the set value distinctly from unchanged set values and menu items corresponding to the unchanged set values, thereby minimizing the time and errors in checking the changed menu item and set value.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, such as a digital color/monochromatic copying machine, for reading a color image or a monochromatic image and producing a copy image thereof, an image process section is composed of an arithmetic section which is programmed and operated by software, or image process programs. The image process programs are input from outside via an external interface and loaded in an external RAM. On the basis of input information from an operation panel, an optimal image process program is read out of the external RAM and loaded in an instruction RAM. The arithmetic section executes the image process program in the instruction RAM.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of performing a font operation involves receiving a set of font data identifying a font operation to be performed. If a first font data unit in the set indicates that a first coordinate should be a background color and transparent background is enabled, the method involves outputting an enable for a second font data unit in the set. The second font data unit indicates that a second coordinate should be a foreground color. The enable for the second coordinate is output instead of a disable for the first coordinate. If instead the first font data unit in the set indicates that the first coordinate should be a background color and transparent background is disabled, the method may involve outputting a disable for the first coordinate.

Abstract: Methods of providing page protection in digital printing systems having multiple output devices are described. In one embodiment, first and second output devices are provided and have different time constraints for processing predetermined amounts of data which will ultimately be printed on a print medium. One of the time constraints is selected to provide a selected time constraint, and at least one predetermined amount of data is tested against the selected time constraint to determine whether the selected time constraint is satisfied. If the selected time constraint is not satisfied, the predetermined amount of data is transformed into a state which is more likely to satisfy the selected time constraint. In another embodiment, a first processing time constraint of a first output device is determined. The first processing time constraint impacts the manner in which a predetermined amount of data is processed into a printed image. A second processing time constraint of a second output device is determined.

Abstract: A method and system for downloading encrypted double-byte font scripts to a print server. A communication element is interposed between a data processing system and a print server, where the print server does not support a bi-directional communication protocol utilized by the data processing system to download encrypted double-byte font scripts. The communication element supports data transmissions in both the bi-directional communication protocol and with the print server. To download a double-byte font script, the data processing system transmits a request to the print server through the communication element for an identifier from the print server. The print server transmits the identifier to the data processing system through the communication element. A decryption key for the double-byte font script is produced by the data processing system utilizing the identifier and downloaded with the encrypted double-byte font script to the print server through the communication element.

Abstract: A main image and a background image are formed using colors each defined by a set of n-valued basic color gradation values each having any one of n possible values (n is an integer equal to or larger than 3) and defining a gradation value of a corresponding one of a predetermined set of basic colors. Different data items representative of candidates for the background image are stored as background image data candidates. Different sets of the basic gradation values corresponding respectively to the background image data candidates are stored as candidates for a main image gradation value set commonly applied to all valid pixels of the main image. One of the background image data candidates is arbitrarily set to a background image data item representative of the background image.

Abstract: A printed matter comprising: a multiplicity of character strings such as words or sentences being printed on a single printing plane according to a ranking of the character strings determined based on a predetermined rule; the character strings being printed at respective font sizes which vary gradually in order of the ranking of the character strings; and at least two of the character strings being superposed on each other in which one of the two character strings whose font size is smaller than that of the other character string is provided with a fringe at a superposed portion thereof. A method and an apparatus for printing the printed matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus capable of high-quality reproduction in which a black isolation point does not lie scattered even for a manuscript document having a colored background.