Abstract: Print data including text or graphics data is transferred from a host computer to a printer. The printer develops the received data on a band basis. When data processing to be performed by the printer is expected to fail due to shortage of the memory area size, the host computer cancels the data which has already been sent to the printer, and develops the text or graphics data to form image data. The image data thus formed is sent to the printer. Image data is transferred in a hierarchical manner. Disclosed also is a method which makes it possible to eliminate as much as possible any data processing failure in the printer attributable to shortage of memory capacity.

Abstract: When a print job is canceled, the printer saves the print job for potential subsequent retrieval. The printer implements a user interface that allows a user to select from previously cancelled print jobs, and to recall such print jobs for subsequent printing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an discrimination unit to discriminate an image sort of provided image data and output discrimination information, a memory unit to store processing information including the discrimination information with image data, an image processing unit to read out the processing information and the image data and perform image processing indicated by the processing information for each domain of the image data in response to a sort of the processing information, and an image forming unit to perform image formation on an image recording medium on the basis of the image data provided with the image processing.

Abstract: There will be provided an image processing apparatus made available irrespective of the mechanism and the like of an output device to be connected thereto. A configuration control unit sets connection patterns and output systems of a first to a fourth output control units depending upon configuration, a connecting method and image data to be inputted of an output device. Also, a processing order control unit is interlocked with this configuration control unit, and constitutes data for each band from image data inputted so as to have sequence responsive to configuration of a first to a fourth rendering processors controlled by the configuration control unit. Thus, data for each band is controlled so as to be inputted into the first to fourth rendering processors in accordance with the processing order. In this way, it is possible to cope with any case where various output devices are connected.

Abstract: An image data transfer system and method enable scan time and transfer time of the image data to be adjusted appropriately without lacking a part of the image data, suitable for low price. A data segmentation device segments the image data from a scan device into high order n bits and low order (N−n) bits, subsequently, transferring the high order n bits toward a data transfer device at the same time when the scan device scans a manuscript, and transferring the low order (N−n) bits toward a memory device. The data transfer device transfers the high order n bits of the image data toward a personal computer at the same time when the scan device scans the manuscript. The memory device stores therein the low order (N−n) bits of the image data temporarily. Furthermore, the data transfer device scans the low order (N−n) bits of the image data from the memory device to transfer toward the personal computer after transfer of the high order n bits.

Abstract: A method of archiving documents by duplicating data by means of an acquisition and reproduction circuit connected to a personal computer, the circuit responding to a current document image output signal from a running printer. The information is stored in the computer's memory as a binary identical image of the document to be printed. The image is then archived for permanent storage.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for inputting image data from an external image input device and outputting the inputted image data to an external image output device after processing the data, the image processing apparatus including a data compression device for compressing the inputted image data by a variable-length data compression method. An image data storing device stores the inputted image data therein. A control device controls the apparatus, such that, when a size of an output image of the inputted image data is larger than a predetermined size, the data compression device compresses the inputted image data by the variable-length data compression method and the image data storing device stores the compressed image data therein, and, when the output image of the inputted image data is equal to or smaller than the predetermined size, the image data storing device stores the inputted image data therein without data compression.

Abstract: A copying machine obtains image data on the basis of a strip-shaped region by reading portion 10, converts the image data to YMCK data at image processing portion 20 in the succeeding stage, and performs zooming processing at zooming processing portion 22. YMCK binary data is produced by pseudo tone processing portion 24. Output portion 30 sequentially prints out data on the basis of a strip-shaped region based on the produced binary data. The output of the image processing portion is divided into 64 dot portions for a reduction processing (into 128 dot portions for equal size/expansion processing). Then, the output of the image processing portion is applied to a recognizing device 50, which performs recognizing processing based on data after a zooming operation.

Abstract: A printer provides additional read/write memory for image processing by operating with stored programs in compressed form. When needed for execution, instructions of a compressed program are expanded by a decompression circuit on the fly in an instruction cache. In a preferred embodiment, the instruction cache includes dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Further, the processor for executing the expanded instructions, the decompression circuit, and the instruction cache are integrated together on the same chip. A printer having a processor for formatting incoming data in a page description language (PDL), for example, executes the instructions of the PDL interpreter program from the cache while the PDL program as a whole is stored in compressed format in off-chip ROM or received from an external computer (downloaded) into off-chip RAM.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a substrate includes an input configured to receive data, a print mechanism configured to print an image on the substrate, and a controller coupled to the input and the print mechanism configured to actuate the print mechanism in response to the input. The controller includes a microprocessor and memory containing a multi-threaded operating system and programming instructions for the microprocessor. The memory implements a plurality of stacks, each stack related to a thread. The programming instructions include a plurality of separate programs and the operating system executes each program as a separate thread and stores information related to each thread on a respective stack in the memory.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for formatting bitmapped image data for printing. An image data bus section (120) has an image bus interface (122) adapted to be coupled to a computer bus to transmit the image data, a front end memory (124) coupled to the image bus interface (122) to receive the image data in an unformatted form, a back end memory (126) for receiving the image data in a formatted form, and a print interface device (1280 coupled to the back end memory (126) for transmitting print data based on the image data in a formatted form. A processor bus section (140) has an image processor (146) and a processor bus interface (1420 adapted to be coupled to the computer bus to communicate print processing instructions between the print processor (146) and the computer.

Abstract: A first storage stores input image data. A second storage stores image data read from the first storage. A control part determines, with respect to a timing at which data transfer of image data into the first storage, a data transfer of the said image data from the first storage to the second storage, based on a rate of data transfer and writing of the image data into the first storage and rate of data transfer and writing of the image data into the second storage from the first storage.

Abstract: An imaging device and method enable the freeing of memory during a punt (print overrun) avoidance operation and during a duplexing operation for enhanced page throughput. Specifically, if a first race condition threshold is met, being indicative of an estimated need to pre-rasterize a band from a page of image data for punt avoidance, and if after pre-rasterization it is determined pre-rasterization is not actually needed for punt avoidance, then the pre-rasterized band is evaluated relative to its display list for memory savings purposes for improved page throughput performance. Similarly, if a duplex condition threshold is met, being indicative of a band being part of a first side of a duplex page being processed and of an estimated need to save memory for processing of the second side of the duplex page, then the band is pre-rasterized and evaluated relative to its display list for memory savings purposes for improved duplex page throughput performance.

Abstract: In a print control apparatus, even when an error such as a paper jam or the like which needs the reprint occurs in a printer, in order to perform an error recovery to generate the accurate reprint result, for preparation of the error recovery, a command buffer preserving section to preserve commands and drawing attribute parameters of each page head (or a command file preserving section or a page buffer preserving section to preserve a drawing dot image) and a preservation command buffer use redrawing/reprint preparing section to perform the error recovery by using the preserved contents (or a preservation command file use redrawing/reprint preparing section or a preservation page buffer reprinting section) are provided in the print control apparatus. When the error which needs the reprint occurs, even for a command of the type such that the drawing attribute parameters are handed over between pages, the accurate reprint is executed by using the preserved contents.

Abstract: An image read part reads documents and stores the image data thereof in a memory card. Reduced image creating device creates reduced image data according to stored image data. The reduced images are displayed as an icon on display of an operation panel by using the reduced image data. One of the icons displayed on the display is selected a using pointing device, the image data corresponding to the selected icon is read from the memory card and an image is printed out.

Abstract: When a storage memory becomes full during processing of printing out of image data read from a page memory and transferred to both a storage memory and a printing portion at the same time for a first copy, a function of an image rotating portion is not effected for copies subsequent to the first copy, and, also, for pages of image data which are stored in the storage memory are printed out, and a page of image data processed at the time the storage memory became full is transferred from the page memory to the printing portion and is printed out.

Abstract: Image data and the image-reproduction instruction data corresponding to the image data are stored in a recording medium. A specified-image reading section selectively reads the image data intended to be reproduced by the user, among the image data recorded in the recording medium. A signal processing section and a layout processing section generate a sheet used for checking the contents of the image data for which reproduction is specified, before the corresponding image is reproduced. An output unit outputs the sheet.

Abstract: A printer apparatus and method for processing image data includes a disk storage module operable to receive, store and output compressed image data, a semiconductor RAM memory device, a data decompressor operates on the compressed image data output by the RAM memory device and a controller that determines if the disk storage module is ready to operate in a write mode or in a read mode to output compressed image data from the disk storage module for transfer to the RAM memory device. The controller also determines if the disk storage module is ready to operate in both modes, and the controller is operative to provide a preference for operation of the read mode and controls the disk storage module so that compressed image data is output from the disk storage module and written into the RAM memory device.

Abstract: A method of generating a printer-ready representation of a page from a collection page elements and a first set of page assembly instructions, when a portion of the page assembly instructions refer to the page elements, includes the steps of comparing the first set with at least one previously stored set of page assembly instructions, assembling the collection and the first set in accordance with the result of the step of comparing, thereby generating the printer-ready representation of the page, and storing the first set and the printer-ready representation.

Abstract: The contents of memory cards on each of which are recorded image files and an order file storing orders for printing images are integrated on a magneto-optic disk. In a file integrating mode, a memory card directory is generated for every memory card on the magneto-optic disk. The images files and order file that have been recorded on a memory card are copied to the magneto-optic disk while the directory structure of the memory card is maintained in such a manner that the image files and order file will be registered in the directory of this memory card. Information that is contained in the copied order file is written to an integrated order file. The content of an order for printing an image can be ascertained by checking the content of the integrated order file.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an engine for forming an image corresponding to received video data on a sheet of paper, a main frame buffer memory, an auxiliary frame buffer memory for outputting stored video data along a data transmission path to the engine according to a video clock sync signal, and a first signal when a lower level correspondingly set to at least some amount of the stored video data is reached and a second signal when the stored data reaches a set upper level.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a storage unit such as an electronic sorter unit is attached is designed to more reliably prevent output of an image that is prohibited from being copied. An electronic sorter unit attached to the image forming apparatus has an external storage unit for storing image data. It is determined whether an image represented by the image data is a copy-prohibited image. Determination information representing the determination result is stored in the external storage unit in correspondence with the image data. The digital image processing unit permits formation of only an image represented by image data that is permitted by the determination information to be copied. When the electronic sorter unit is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, power to the nonvolatile memory is interrupted, and the stored contents volatilize. When the apparatus is started up, the contents of the nonvolatile memory are checked to determine whether the unit is detached.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus includes a detachable storage medium drive device for mounting a CD-R, and receives image data from a memory card inserted in a PC card slot. The data recording apparatus has a built-in storage medium in which a dedicated storage area corresponding to a storage capacity for a predetermined number of detachable storage media is formed in part of the entire storage area. Input image data is recorded in the dedicated storage area, and the image data recorded in the dedicated storage area is recorded on a CD-R.

Abstract: A digital copier and method of processing images in which the images are manipulated and processed utilizing smaller blocks of the image. By working with smaller blocks, the image processing may begin before an entire image is scanned or before the entire image is loaded into a memory or buffer. Further, when printing, the start of the printing process may begin as soon as a row of the smaller blocks is completed without waiting for the generation of the entire manipulated image. The blocks are preferably an integral multiple of the size of a size of a direct memory access buffer, or alternatively, are of a size which may be divided into the size of the direct memory access buffer an integral number of times or are a multiple of the size of the direct memory access buffer.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning batch-type documents containing indicia on either a single side or on two sides of each document sheet. Misfeeds through a scanning device are identified by comparison of an anticipated number of pages with an actual number of scanned pages. Similar misfeeds may be identified by comparison of first and second series of pages in two-sided documents. Automatic collating of scanned pages is then performed where desired. The automatic collating may be based upon simple interleaving of pages, or upon recognition of page identifiers, such as page numbers in common or anticipated regions of the page. The scanning, analysis and collating operations may be followed by other processing steps, including transmission of facsimiles, printing, copying, and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention aims at restoring backup data in a predetermined order and avoiding damage from being given to the system even when the backup data are destroyed. Flags Ferr and Feeprom and a variable i stored in a DRAM are initialized (S1 to S3). When the variable i is smaller than the number n of EEPROMs (hereinafter referred to as “PROM(s)”), the ID code of a PROM in question is read and loaded into the DRAM (S4 to S6). When the variable i equals the number n, the variable i is cleared (S7). Then, a variable j is initialized (S9), and it is determined whether or not each PROM ID stored in the DRAM matches with a mask ROM ID until the variable j becomes greater than the number n of PROMs (S11). If the answer is “No”, the variable j is incremented (S13), while if “Yes,” a number corresponding to the variable j then assumed is loaded into the DRAM as the flag Feeprom (S14).

Abstract: Image data developed on print buffers can be read at consecutive or adjacent addresses and transferred to recording heads at high speed. An I/F DMA block transfers image data to DRAM at discrete addresses to develop the image data on DRAM. Thereafter, a head DMA block reads the image data in DRAM at addresses consecutive in a mount direction of the recording heads and transfers the read image data to the recording heads.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method of printing video includes providing a printer to receive video information and storing the video information in printer memory. A graphical user interface allows a user to select certain video frames to print, which are then extracted and sent to a printer. A user can then print, for example, a content sheet of favorite video frames or a flip book.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device, an image processing method, and a recording medium that supply the intermediate code image data generated for each band to the hardware rendering mechanism at high speed and enhance the efficiency of a memory in use. In the image processing device, a host processing unit receives and interprets incoming PDL data, creates intermediate code image data for each band, and supplies it to an intermediate code image data holding block management unit. The intermediate code image data holding block management unit reserves intermediate code image data holding areas on the memory, and stores intermediate code image data holding blocks and management information in the areas with continuous addresses. The management information is rewritten into descriptors, which are supplied to a DMA controller, and the intermediate code image data is sequentially transferred to a rendering unit by the chained DMA transfer system.

Abstract: A digital image printer that performs bit rotation and row alignment in preparation for final image reproduction. The present invention combines the two digital image data processing functions of bit rotation and row alignment into a single functional step. The two functions are performed simultaneously, in that, while row alignment is being performed during the deposition of a portion of the digital image data into a certain portion of a group of memory buffers, bit rotation is performed by extracting another portion of the digital image data from another portion of a group of memory buffers. The present invention reduces the number of required digital image data memory buffers required to perform the two functions of bit rotation and row alignment from conventional systems that perform the two functions sequentially and utilize a direct memory access channel to perform the data transfer between integrated circuitry that performs the two functions.

Abstract: Print data including text or graphics data is transferred from a host computer to a printer. The printer develops the received data on a band basis. When data processing to be performed by the printer is expected to fail due to shortage of the memory area size, the host computer cancels the data which has already been sent to the printer, and develops the text or graphics data to form image data. The image data thus formed is sent to the printer. Image data is transferred in a hierarchical manner. Disclosed also is a method which makes it possible to eliminate as much as possible any data processing failure in the printer attributable to shortage of memory capacity.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus which performs printing operation in an emulation mode designated by a host computer, data necessary for the designated emulation mode is down-loaded. First, a fixed data buffer size is reserved in accordance with the emulation mode which requires the maximum amount of data to be down-loaded. Then, a ring buffer for receiving data is assigned next to the fixed data buffer. After the data size to be down loaded is determined, portions of area reserved for the fixed data buffer which becomes unnecessary is reassigned as print data buffer. Since the print data buffer is a ring buffer, if no received data is stored at an address which is at the border between the fixed data buffer and the print data buffer, it is possible to move the border. Therefore, the printing apparatus waits until a state of the print data buffer changes to a state in which no received data is stored at the address at the border, then expands the print data ring buffer.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of both side transmission, both side reading, and both side recording, which can appropriately record image data received in the both side transmission mode, and can prevent recording sheets from being wasted. When the transmitter designates both side transmission, control is made to start recording upon completion of reception of data for at least two pages, and when the transmitter does not designate both side transmission, control is made to start recording upon completion of reception of data for at least one page. When compulsory both side recording is selected at the receiver end, control is made to start recording upon completion of reception of data for at least two pages.

Abstract: An application 11, a printer driver 12, and a Graphical Device Interface 13 cooperate to prepare Enhanced Meta Files for each print job. The Enhanced Meta Files do not depend on the type of device. The Enhanced Meta Files are then stored as a spool file 18. The page separation unit 22 recognizes the print job of the spool file 18, and separates the Enhanced Meta Files for the respective pages from one another. The job preparation unit 27 prepares a new print job by processing the separated Enhanced Meta Files based on commands for processing the separated Enhanced Meta Files. According to these operations, a new print job comprised of the processed Enhanced Meta Files does not depend on the device. The personal computer can thus control special types of printing using simple processes.

Abstract: In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the central processing section determines as to whether an empty area required for loading of image data is available in a swap page used as a swap area of a real page or not, and directly loads the image data on the swap page and compresses the image data when an empty area is available in a memory of the swap page. On the other hand, when an empty area is not available, the central processing section loads the image data in a real page via a virtual frame buffer and transfers the image data to the swap page for compression thereof.

Abstract: Using the concept of off-screen rendering, a Unicode encoding value for a non-Latin1 glyph is converted into a bitmap image using Java™ in order to print glyphs that are not supported by a printer. The method uses the JDK application information together with the platform specific operating system's information to perform a non-operating system specific rendering or generic rendering of the non-Latin1 Unicode glyphs for use in printing the glyphs. This solution is glyph-based instead of font-based and works within the confines of Java™ classes and methods. It is primarily an extension of the Java language that exposes a host font manager, such as a TrueType™ font engine, in such a way as to bring the bitmap of a glyph into an application or applet executing on the virtual machine. The bitmap of the glyph may then be printed.

Abstract: An imaging device and method provide a binding of complexity indicia to bands of a page being composed for video imaging. The indicia enable memory management tasks to be performed on the bands while the page is waiting in the page pipe to be imaged. Advantageously, the memory management tasks are performed without waiting for any already composed page to finish imaging. Accordingly, page throughput of a multi-page print job is improved. In one embodiment, the indicia includes at least one data element that is indicative of the band being safe for being acted upon by the memory management tasks. In an alternate embodiment, the indicia includes a data element that is indicative of a complexity of the band for being video imaged, and a further data element that is indicative of an incremental complexity of the band relative to a given memory management task that may be performed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive drum has the form of a cartridge, a non-volatile memory is provided on the cartridge and a cumulative number of times image forming has been performed is stored in the non-volatile memory, a write-in-progress flag is set in the memory before a data set is written to the memory of the cartridge, and the write-in-progress flag is reset after writing of a data set to the memory ends. A plurality of identical data sets are written to the memory. If, when data sets are read out of the memory, there is a data set for which the write-in-progress flag is still in the set state, it is judged that the write operation for this data set ended in mid-course and, hence, the content of this data set is rewritten to the content of another valid data set.

Abstract: A method and system for easily storing logo data in a target printer. A data storage file for storing the logo data in the target printer is produced by creating the print data, generating a set of commands for storing the print data in the non-volatile storage of the target printer, compiling the data storage file containing the print data and command data set, and outputting the data storage file. When a host terminal accesses this data storage file, it runs the commands in the detected command data set, thereby sending a storage command data set to the target printer. The target printer then runs the storage commands and locally stores the logo data.

Abstract: A memory management device enables to effectively use a memory which permits its stored data to be erased only in blocks. A facsimile apparatus is arranged to temporarily store sending information and received information in the memory and then to send or receive the information. The facsimile apparatus includes a flash memory whose data is allowed to be erased only in blocks and a storage unit for storing the sending or the received information in its own blocks if the sending or the received information is stored in the flash memory.

Abstract: The present invention is a print system and method for providing wait-band alleviation of printers via host buffering. The print system of the present invention is embodied in a software-driven scheme with independent multithreading operations for efficiently controlling and maximizing print jobs and includes a host computer connected to a printer, an operating system functioning on the host computer, an application running on the operating system and producing an image to be printed, and a printer driver interacting with the operating system. The software-driven buffering scheme and multithreading system provides simultaneous operation of software-driven components as well as hardware, to thereby provide continuous throughput of data to the printer.

Abstract: On the side of a microcomputer for creating image data, a unique code for showing the page alignment is added to the created image data, and on the printer device side, the unique code is detected independently from the ordinary data analysis. The unique code is constituted by a sequence of a predetermined number or more of identical data of one or more bytes. Based on the results of detection of the unique code, page control and recovery process are executed.

Abstract: A printer-control-only hardware circuit (control circuit) is interposed between a printer driver of a host computer and a printer. The printer driver transmits to the control circuit a series of control circuit commands for use with the control circuit. The series of control circuit commands include several types of commands, such as a backend parameter setting command used for sending a backend parameter which is required for resetting the printer and an RGB data transmission command for the purpose of transmitting full-color RGB raster data. The control circuit identifies the types of control circuit command received. If the control circuit command is a backend parameter setting command, the backend parameter is stored in the command buffer within a memory device.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system of capturing a destination address from a label print stream in a data processing system which is capable of supporting an object oriented programming environment. The method begins with the initiation of a print stream from a label application. A virtual driver is selected as the intended destination device of the print stream. The virtual driver directs the print stream to a print intercept automation server (PIAS). The PIAS causes the system to display on a monitor a print field selection. The system operator selects an envelope print field from the print intercept automation server. The envelope print field is a set of objects established in the object oriented environment and comprises a mailpiece OCX and an indicia printing control object. The print stream is then parsed to extract a set of address data defining a destination address from the print stream by the print automation server.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus which stores and manages image data and is able to output image data in a size equal to the size in the data reading stage independently of the resolutions of an image input device and an image output device. The original size is stored together with the image data in an image data inputting stage. An image output magnification is calculated so as to output an image in a size equal to the size of the original based on the resolution of the image output device and the resolution of the image input device in an image data outputting stage, and enlarged or reduced image data is outputted at the calculated magnification.

Abstract: A printer device includes a plurality of memory card slots, a printing/copying key, a printing key, a copying key, etc. When a user presses the printing/copying key, a selected picture frame (image information) is printed and copied substantially simultaneously. When the printing key is pressed, the selected picture frame is printed. When the copying key is pressed, the selected picture frame is copied. However, when the printing key and the copying key are continuously pressed without changing the picture frame, the picture frame selected in the preceding process is used in the subsequent process.

Abstract: An apparatus, having a simple configuration capable of reading data from DRAM in hyper-page mode at high speed. When a change in row address is detected while reading the data, storing of data read after the detection and changing of address are prohibited, and the read data is discarded. When the number of accesses has reached a predetermined number, the processing is terminated. When necessary data have not been stored, the row address is changed, and remaining data to be read is read in the hyper-page mode. Further, when it is determined that the necessary data have been stored before the number of accesses reaches the predetermined number, setting of data read thereafter is prohibited, as well as changing of address is also prohibited, thereby discarding the read data.

Abstract: A hard disk is divided into a plurality of regions each having a plurality of sectors, and then writing/reading operations is performed on image data by units of the regions.

Abstract: A printer according to this invention simultaneously performs image data generation and output in units of bands constituting one page. It is inconvenient to finish image data generation before output of the image data. Each band having a necessary rendering time longer than an output time of one band is picked up in advance. It is determined whether the memory capacity used is smaller in pre-rendering the picked bands or in simply increasing the number of band memories, thereby determining an optimal rendering schedule.

Abstract: An integrated digital television and video printer (200) comprises a first decompressor (204) for decompressing a compressed digital video signal corresponding to a real time broadcast, a buffer (212) for storing a compressed digital video signal (202), a synchronizing means (206) for coordinating the display of the real time digital video signal and the stored digital video signal, a second decompressor (214) for decompressing the stored compressed digital video signal received from the buffer (212), a control means (210) for selecting among and printing images corresponding to the digital video signal stored in the buffer (212), a display means (208) for viewing the real time digital video signal and/or the stored digital video signal, and a printing means (216) for producing a hard copy of the selected image from the buffer (212).