Abstract: The present disclosure relates to performing text transformations on a printing device. Transformation functions are implemented by program modules written in an interpretative language and executed on the printing device. Advantages of the disclosed system and methods for performing text transformations on a printing device include a reduction in costs associated with producing such devices and an improved capability for extending and upgrading the transformations available on such devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and method that enables extraction of line segments of an arbitrary width from multi-valued images not uniform in background. To extract line segment data constituting a line segment, image data is scanned using a line segment basic element to extract line segment data from the image data. In other words, pixel data included in the line segment basic element is used as one unit and it is judged for each unit whether the pixel data corresponds to line segment data. Thereby, even if the densities of pixel data corresponding to, e.g., backgrounds are not uniform, by judging the line segment basic element as one unit, line segment data of a line segment width to be extracted can be extracted free of the influence of the densities being not uniform.

Abstract: A computer program operates a printer to insert tabs into a multipage document. The physical tabs are stored in one of printer's insert bins. A graphical user display shows a bank of tabs in a layout table. A tab is activated by specifying a page for the tab. Text and graphics may be entered on the tab or selected from templates for labels and style. A layout template stores data on the layout of one or more standard banks of tabs. The computer program automatically balances the number to tabs and automatically deletes unused blocks of tabs.

Abstract: A method of controlling usage of printer macros stored in a printer includes detecting a request for use of a first one of the printer macros by a print job. Printer identification information contained in the first printer macro is compared to a printer identifier stored in the printer. Usage of the first printer macro by the printer is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of controlling usage of fonts stored in a printer includes detecting a request for use of a first one of the fonts by a print job. Printer identification information contained in the first font is compared to a printer identifier stored in the printer. Usage of the first font by the printer is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a computer supported plate making method includes: a coordinate layout numbering step, based on an original document or an instruction received from a client, of allocating for a page creation area screen the location and the size of character data and/or image data, which are represented by specific blocks using absolute coordinates, and of adding layout numbers to corresponding character data and/or image data; a character data input step of entering the character data to which the layout number has been added, and of creating, for each of the blocks represented by the absolute values, a file that includes information for a font type, a printing color and a size (Q's); and an image data input step of reading the image data to which the layout number has been added and defining the image data as files corresponding to the layout numbers, whereby, based on proofread letters, a correction is performed for each of the files.

Abstract: A printer has a spreading unit 1 for spreading data sent from an upper apparatus into bit map data, a memory unit 2 for storing the bit map data spread by the spreading unit 1, an extracting unit 3 for extracting a contour-protecting shaped matrix which prevents the disappearance of a contour of an image, and a printing unit 7 which stores template data and a toner consumption saving pattern and which prints dot data of the bit map data based on a shape of the contour-protecting shaped matrix. The extracted matrix data are compared with the template data. When the matrix data corresponds with the template data, a noted pixel positioned in a central portion of the matrix is replaced with the toner consumption saving pattern. Accordingly, numbers of black dots can be decreased in a part of image data to save toner consumption in the printer.

Abstract: In a character information processor adapted to print an input character string in accordance with a designated printing attribute on a print medium which is limited in at least one of the transversal or longitudinal directions, the type of currently loaded print medium is detected; a fixed phrase is selected by a user from a plurality of stored fixed phrases; and the selected fixed phrase is printed in accordance with a printing attribute determined by the detected type of the print medium and stored fixed phrase information.

Abstract: There are defined a reference size and at least one predetermined enlarged size each corresponding to an integral multiple of the reference size, as alternatives to be selectively set to a print size of a printing area of a printing object on which is to be printed part or all of character groups including at least one character. One of the reference size and the at least one predetermined enlarged size is set to the print size: At least one predetermined portion different from one another of the character groups respectively is allocated to at least one divisional printing area formed by dividing the printing area by the reference size. There is formed data of at least one print image corresponding to the at least one predetermined portion of the character groups allocated respectively to the at least one divisional printing area. The at least one print image is printed respectively on the at least one divisional printing area of the printing object.

Abstract: A communication device having a facsimile function includes a first generating unit that generates a first transmission image by appending additional information using a bitmap font to an image to be transmitted by facsimile, a second generating unit that generates a second transmission image which the additional information is appended to the image using an outline font by an extension unit that prints out using the outline font and a transmission unit that transmits the first transmission image or the second transmission image in accordance with a facsimile protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a font downloading apparatus and method which can download fonts of a coding scheme not supported by a printer after converting them into a supported coding scheme. When a user on a host computer selects a printer to which a font is to be downloaded, the system acquires coding schemes supported by the selected printer. Then, when a font to be downloaded is specified, the system acquires the coding scheme of the font. If the font to be downloaded is not supported by the printer, the system makes the user to select one of the acquired coding schemes, converts the codes of the font to be downloaded to the selected coding scheme, and downloads the font to the printer.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a bitmap suitable for high-speed variable printing, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a page description language file, the page description language file defining at least one variable data area and at least one static data area; (b) interpreting the page description language file, and during the interpreting step: (i) generating a static bitmap of the static data area, (ii) identifying the variable data area, and (iii) responsive to the identification of the variable data area, not adding a bitmap of the variable data area to the static bitmap; and (c) saving the static bitmap, whereby the saved static bitmap is used repeatedly in the generation of a plurality of documents, each of which contain the static bitmap and a variable data bitmap.

Abstract: A method for printing a large invisible luminescent bar code on a mail piece addresses the problem of obscuration of modules by printed text such as the address. The bar code is printed large enough so that the line width of the characters is substantially less than the module size of the bar code components. Overprinting does not then completely obscure any module and so the bar code is still readable. The readability is especially enhanced by the high contrast of the luminescent image. When a fluorescent bar code is viewed under UV illumination, the bar code emits fluorescence in the areas of printed modules without text overprinted. Because the modules are wider than the text line width, the text does not completely obscure any module. The contrast of the bar code is reversed in fluorescence—that is, printed areas emit light.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the quality of a small character can be prevented from lowering during copy of an image in an original. An image in an original is read by a scanner, and a recognition unit performs detection of a character size and a character position as well as character recognition. A CPU reads a font from a dictionary in accordance with the recognized character recognized by the recognition unit, and an image is generated based on the character size and the character position detected by the recognition unit and a copy magnification set by an MMI.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently loading fonts at the boot time of a computer uses a cache file to store font-loading information for the installed fonts. The font-loading information is extracted from the font files by associated font drivers and stored in the font-loading information cache when the fonts were installed. During the boot time of the computer, for each installed font, an associated font driver determines whether the font-loading information for that font has been stored in the font-loading information cache. If the font-loading information is in the cache, the font driver retrieves the font-loading information from the cache, without having to open the font file.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an active pixel area for image capture; one or more black pixel areas disposed in a pre-determined, significant spaced apart distance from the active pixel area; and a light shield to prevent light from illuminating the black pixel areas.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing image data in connection with peripheral units such as laser printers are described. In one embodiment, an image pipeline is queried to determine at least one constraint which affects the image data provided to the image pipeline from a source of image data. If appropriate, the constraint(s) is imposed on the image data to provide constrained image data. After the constraint is imposed on the image data, the constrained image data is provided from the source to the image pipeline for processing into a page-arranged output. In another embodiment, image data which is provided by a source is stored in a first buffer. A handle is assigned to the image data. The handle is passed through at least a portion of the image pipeline. After such passing, at least a portion of the image data which was stored in the first buffer is copied directly into at least one strip buffer, with such copying being the first copying of the image data after the storing thereof in the first buffer.

Abstract: An outputting apparatus such as a laser beam printer comprises a memory to store designation information to designate a selection-impossible font from a plurality of fonts and a selector to select a font which is most adaptive from the fonts other than the selection instructed font in accordance with an input of selection instruction information to instruct so as to select the selection-impossible font that is designated by the designation information stored in the memory. The plurality of fonts include internal fonts provided in the apparatus and fonts which are supplied from the outside.

Abstract: The present invention provides 1) a label on which merchandise information is printed in a manner such that the merchandise information can be recognized promptly and accurately even in cases where a barcode cannot be properly read, and 2) a printing apparatus therefor. When a label L3, which includes a barcode, is printed, of the characters in a character string that represents the information contained in the barcode, only those characters belonging to a substantive character string S31, which corresponds to substantive merchandise information, are printed underlined. Alternatively, such characters are printed in reverse printing or outlined in a box. Thus in cases where an operator must refer to the substantive character string and make manual input using a ten-key pad, the substantive character string S31 is easy to recognize visually, meaning that input errors are avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: (a) a character image extraction extracting character image data of handwritten characters filled into character entry boxes from image data scanned from a character entry sheet in which the handwritten characters are filled into the character entry boxes corresponding to respective character codes; (b) a character positional information storage section storing character positional information of font character space defined for each of characters; (c) a character positional information calculation section calculating the amount of movement for moving the extracted character image data to a character position of the font character space defined in the character positional information; (d) a character position alignment section moving the character image data to the character position of the font character space defined in the character positional information, based on the calculated amount of movement; and (e) a character font generation section generating font characters of the handwri

Abstract: A method for printing includes printing an image on media and generating data related to image quality, with the data to indicate whether the image quality within a first area of the media has deteriorated. In addition, the method includes modifying the image based on the data so that the image is no longer printed within the first area if the data indicates deterioration.

Abstract: A mechanism by which meta-data may be created and associated with a given page description language file. This meta-data could be considered as either a page description language complexity or raster image processor time estimate. The meta-data is derived via a complexity factor and (optionally) an accuracy factor. The meta-data may be utilized for raster processor page/surface ordering, preflight optimization, viewing optimization, or other embodiments.

Abstract: Methods for printing are provided. A representative method for printing includes enabling information corresponding to a print task to be evaluated, and, if it is determined that a printing device to which the print task is directed is unable to process the print task without performing a font substitution, enabling additional information to be acquired. By using the additional information, the printing device is able to process the print task without performing a font substitution. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: Unused space in a storage medium such as a read only memory is used to store additional fonts, thereby increasing the total number of fonts stored in an apparatus. A portion of the fonts stored in the apparatus are made available to a user using traditional methods. If a key is present or has been added to the apparatus, the additional fonts are made available to the user. Examples of a key include software code, a hardware jumper or a card with a hardware identification or jumper.

Abstract: A printer contains a list of objects to be printed under control of a controller. Different resolutions for the objects are included in the list of objects to be printed. In one embodiment, each item has an associated resolution indicating a minimum resolution for printing the item, unless the item before it has the same resolution. In such a case, the previous resolution is used to render ensuing objects for printing until an object requires a different resolution. A rendering module renders the object for printing as a function of the listed resolutions and resolutions supported by the printer. If the desired resolution is lower than that supported by the printer, the lowest resolution of the printer is used to render the object.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a receipt interface I/F, a hard disk, and a printer section. The receipt interface I/F receives pages of image data transmitted and a partial print request signal requesting that only a part of the image data be printed, both transmitted through a communication line. The hard disk stores both the image data and the partial print request signal. The printer section prints a part of the image data stored in the hard disk, in response to the partial print request signal that the receipt interface I/F has received.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information processing apparatus which is handy for a user. In the information processing apparatus, a user interface of a control program for controlling a peripheral is automatically formed in accordance with a function obtained from the peripheral.

Abstract: A resource management method according to the present invention for managing a resource retained by an image forming apparatus that is capable of processing print data, which is based upon print languages of a plurality of types, using a specified resource, comprises a setting step of setting attributes, with regard to the resource, corresponding to each of the plurality of types of print languages processable by the image forming apparatus, and a storage step of storing the attributes, which have been set at said setting step, in the image forming apparatus in association with actual data of the resource retained by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A document printing control apparatus determines, when an output paper size is set by a keyboard operation, block sizes of individual blocks from the output paper size. The apparatus determines the size of an output area and font size from the block sizes determined, and places the output area and characters with the sizes determined. After placing the characters in the output area, followed by editing a layout, the apparatus places the output area and characters according to the edited layout. The apparatus can carry out the scaling of the sizes of the output area and font according to the sizes of the output area and font determined.

Abstract: There are defined a reference size and at least one predetermined enlarged size each corresponding to an integral multiple of the reference size, as alternatives to be selectively set to a print size of a printing area of a printing object on which is to be printed part or all of character groups including at least one character. One of the reference size and the at least one predetermined enlarged size is set to the print size. At least one predetermined portion different from one another of the character groups respectively is allocated to at least one divisional printing area formed by dividing the printing area by the reference size. There is formed data of at least one print image corresponding to the at least one predetermined portion of the character groups allocated respectively to the at least one divisional printing area. The at least one print image is printed respectively on the at least one divisional printing area of the printing object.

Abstract: When user specifies a desired minimum font size through a host computer 2, and issues a print instruction to a printer 3, a recommended N-up number operating section 37 of the printer 3 performs an arithmetic operation to obtain a maximum N-up number with which font size not larger than the desired minimum font size are not included. A printing section 35 of the printer 3 prints the obtained N-up number of sheets of original document images on one sheet of paper.

Abstract: A method of, and a font for, representing the extended arabic characters in which a distinctive Arabic based alphabet of minimum constant number of letters would include characters that have unique non-varying glyph representations, detachable forms to render non-cursive strings, and generally symmetric outlines to facilitate bi-directional utilization. Each glyph in the new font has the core characteristics of its traditional Arabic equivalent so that words and text strings utilizing new font and method will closely resemble traditional Arabic. Unlike prior art Arabic fonts and the systems employing them, the invention introduces a significantly smaller font size and a platform independent font-only based character input/output method or system eliminating previously required glyph and ligature substitutions and allowing bi-directional and non-cursive rendering.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program apparatus and systems, for processing text that includes coded (character based) and noncoded (image based) representations of text. The invention includes deriving a correction factor from a coded representation of a second unit of text and an original noncoded representation of the second unit of text, and modifying a representation of a first unit of text in accordance with the correction factor, where a common font typeface is attributed to both the first and second units. The correction factor can be calculated by rendering a coded representation of the second unit of text in the font typeface to generate a rendered representation, calculating a reference ratio from the rendered representation and an optical density of an original noncoded representation of the second unit of text, and inverting the reference ratio to calculate the correction factor.

Abstract: A document is read by a scanner, the document type is detected, and a specific block in the document, for which character recognition is to be performed, is determined. The character recognition is performed for the specific block, the obtained character strings are analyzed, and in accordance with the analysis results, document objectives, such as the extraction of data, filing, transmission to a printer or notification of transmission, are attained. A process corresponding to the attained objectives is performed for the document that has been read.

Abstract: A host device successively sends print data constituting a plurality of sets of copies of a document to be printed to a printer capable of printing on both sides of printing paper. If each set of copies to be printed consists of an odd number of pages, a blank page is inserted as the reverse side of the last page to make the total number of pages of the set of copies an even number. The print data thus created is sent to the printer as a single job. This makes it possible to prevent the last page of one set of copies and the first page of another set of copies from being printed on the same sheet of paper, thereby allowing each set of copies to be printed as a discrete set independent of other sets. Print job management is performed on the basis of a single print job.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a plurality of bit maps suitable for high-speed printing includes the steps of: (a) providing a page description code specification, where the page description code specification defines at least one data area (b) providing a text file, where the text file includes a plurality of data items and the plurality of data items are associated with a field name; (c) monitoring the page description code specification, and during the monitoring step, identifying character strings that match a field name found in the text file; and (d) responding to a positive identification of a character string that matches a field name, where the response includes linking the data area containing the character string in the page description code specification with the plurality of data items in the text file associated with the field name.

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: A method, for use with an advanced function printer, for automatically printing a source document in a print copy format having the largest acceptable print page image size on the fewest number of print copy pages.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method and apparatus capable of easily reprinting the same print data in various output forms at a high speed without any large-capacity storage device, in which when a page image corresponding to print data input from an external device is to be generated, the print data is analyzed to generate the page image, print data of at least one job is held, a page image of at least one page that is generated by analyzing the print data is held, and when reprinting is designated, either of the spooled print data and page image is read out to perform reprinting.

Abstract: Information storage associated within a memory device is improved using a combination of compressed and non-compressed data storage formats. Font data may be stored without compression, thereby reducing the overhead associated with decompression and the need to supply sufficient memory to accommodate the font after decompression. Executable code is compressed for storage.

Abstract: The apparatus recognizes line length of character strings and judges if a line is longer than a threshold length. Slewing addition control divides a character string longer than the threshold length into two lines. When the number of inputted characters exceeds that allowed in the line, that part of the character string having the number of characters allowed for the line and that part of the characters overflowing the number of characters allowed in the line are displayed in different manners. The apparatus also calculates a ratio of lengths of a pair of specific lines to one or more other pairs, determines a character-size-type based on the ratios thus obtained, determines basic character sizes of the respective lines based on the character-size-type and then determines a character size for each line based on the length information and the basic character size of each line.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for adjusting font pitch during a print process is disclosed. The method on a computer system includes observing a print command issued by an application. The method further includes generating an output file in response to the print command and modifying the output file to conform to a template. The method further includes determining the type of each character in the output file and adjusting the font pitch of characters in the output file based on their type. The method further includes sending the output file to an output destination. In one alternative, the method includes determining whether each character in the output file is at least one of a numerical character and an alphabetic character and 1) adjusting the font pitch of numerical characters to be fixed font pitch, and 2) adjusting the font pitch of alphabetic characters to be variable font pitch.

Abstract: There are provided a printing apparatus and a printing method which are capable of setting the print line width on a tape such that the widths of the print lines are adapted to the ruled line spacing defined by a predetermined standard, as well as discriminating and printing only designated data on a group-by-group basis. The printing apparatus is capable of printing characters of a desired size on a print medium while feeding the print medium contained therein. A print line width is set such that the print line width is adapted to a ruled line spacing defined by a predetermined standard. The characters are printed in the set print line width.

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: A print system has: a client apparatus for outputting print data; a printer server apparatus for receiving the print data from the client apparatus, and controlling an output of the print data received from the client apparatus in time; and a printer apparatus for receiving the print data from the printer server apparatus, converting the print data received from the printer server apparatus and printing the converted print data. The printer apparatus has a print property and converts and prints the print data received from the printer server apparatus according to the print property.

Abstract: A portable storage medium and a recording apparatus for the same that are capable of offline inputting and outputting image and text data automatically and efficiently to a digital copying machine, a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, a mobile phone, a liquid crystal projector, a television set and the like are provided. In the portable storage medium, a plurality of data files and one job file are stored, where a plurality of job information for executing each of predetermined procedures with respect to each of a designated plurality of data files from the plurality of data files are integrated. In this portable storage medium, the job file includes a plurality of job information blocks, each of which is specified to have a fixed size, for storing the plurality of job information, and each of the plurality of job information blocks includes discrimination information for used job information blocks to indicate whether the job information block is used or not.

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 method allows a user to specify preferences in the configuration or use of data-presentation resources. In other words, a user has the ability to specify variability in the generation of data for data-presentation on an output device.

Abstract: Methods and systems can automatically select an N-Up printing mode that is tailored to ensure that a printed document contains information that is desirably decipherable by a user. Where a document contains text, the inventive methods and systems can ensure that all text on the document is readable. Where a document contains graphics, the methods and systems can ensure that the graphics are printed at a desired level of resolution.

Abstract: This invention specifically covers one of the many image quality (IQ) metrics that can be part of an overall image quality (IQ) analysis engine. The specific problem with image quality addressed with this metric is that of printed text. Analytical outline font characters are used to represent certain traits of existing text characters, allowing proper image quality analysis while simplifying image processing. Preferably, a set of analytical outline font characters are used, with each representing a different trait.