Static Presentation Processing (e.g., Processing Data For Printer, Etc.) Patents (Class 358/1.1)
  • Patent number: 8804169
    Abstract: A printing method includes a printing program causing: a web server to integrate a plurality of contents with each other to thereby generate a web page, and to transmit the generated web page to a client terminal via a network; the client terminal to transmit a request for printing the web page from a browser screen to the web server; the web server to call a print service of an image forming apparatus in response to the request; the image forming apparatus to transmit to the web server a request for generating a print page corresponding to the web page by the print service; the web server to integrate the plurality of contents with each other to thereby generate the print page and to transmit the generated print page; and the image forming apparatus to receive and to print the print page by the print service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shigenaka Kanemitsu
  • Patent number: 8805667
    Abstract: A print control device includes: a creation unit that creates print data; an output unit that outputs the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port; a determination unit that determines whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and a display unit which, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displays at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuma Saito
  • Patent number: 8804176
    Abstract: In a printing system in which a document received from a client terminal is registered in a print service, a fixed code corresponding to the registered document is sent back to the client terminal by e-mail, and when a printer notifies the fixed code, print processing is performed for the document corresponding to the fixed code, the URL of the print service which has registered the document is generated, and the network environment of the client terminal is determined. When it is determined that the network environment is an intranet, the fixed code and generated URL are sent back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Shirai
  • Patent number: 8804139
    Abstract: A presentation document is repurposed to save paper and ink. An indication that a printout of a presentation document from a printer has been requested is received. The presentation document has content with a format that would result in a first quantity of pages being printed. The content has a plurality of slides and a plurality of shapes. Further, the presentation document is preprocessed to acquire data associated the presentation document. Group shaping is also performed to group the plurality of shapes into one or more groups based on shapes that have to be transformed together. Further, content transformation is performed to generate transformed content. In addition, a content re-layout is performed to determine placement of the transformed content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Kapil Arora, Naveen Goel, Mayur Hemani, Neha Rastogi, Hemant Virmani
  • Patent number: 8804162
    Abstract: A printing device monitoring method includes sequentially registering, in a monitored device queue, printing devices to which print jobs are to be output, monitoring the printing devices in accordance with the order of registration in the monitored device queue, determining if predetermined conditions are satisfied (S1803), interrupting monitoring of a printing device on the basis of the determination (S1806), and re-registering, in the monitored device queue, the printing device whose monitoring was interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hayato Matsugashita
  • Patent number: 8804141
    Abstract: A character output device includes: a character direction specification unit that specifies a drawing direction of characters for each processing-target region of a processing-target page; a character rotation determination unit that determines as to whether the processing-target page rotates or not based on a relation between the specified drawing direction and a direction of an output medium; and an output unit that performs an output processing based on the determination by the character rotation determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8804183
    Abstract: A recording control device controls a recording mechanism section which performs recording on a recording medium by a recording head. An image expansion section expands data input from the outside to create image data for recording. An image buffer memory temporarily stores the image data created by the image expansion section. A recording control section reads the image data stored in the image buffer memory, and controls the recording mechanism section to record the read image data on the recording medium by the recording head. The recording control section controls a recording speed of the recording mechanism section on the basis of a creation speed of the image data in the image expansion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kasai, Toshiaki Koike, Takashi Saikawa
  • Patent number: 8797563
    Abstract: An approach is provided for printing policy-enabled electronic documents using locked printing. A printing device includes a user interface, a print process for processing print data and printing documents and a locked print process. When print data is received by a printing device, a determination is made whether an electronic document contained in the print data is a policy-enabled electronic document. If so, then the print data is treated as locked print data by being stored on the printing device and not immediately processed for printing. In response to both successfully verifying a user and a request to print the electronic document via a user interface at the printing device, a determination is made whether the user is authorized by a policy to print the electronic document. If so, then the print data is processed and the electronic document is printed at the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jayasimha Nuggehalli, Seiichi Katano, Seong Kim
  • Patent number: 8797555
    Abstract: To convert N-valued input image data to output image data, where N is an integer equal to or greater than two, a concentration value is determined for each pixel in a set of pixels including a pixel of interest and its neighboring pixels. Ranks are assigned to each of these pixels on the basis of the concentration values. The pixel values of the pixel of interest and its neighboring pixels are then redistributed according to the assigned ranks. This scheme enables pixel clustering to be manipulated in a natural way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Doi
  • Patent number: 8797582
    Abstract: A tape printing apparatus, including: an input unit configured to input print data and a layout of the print data; a display unit configured to have a display screen; a dividing unit configured to divide the print data into a plurality of blocks based on the layout input by the input unit; a display control unit configured to display the print data by scrolling the print data on the display screen, using the display unit, for each of the blocks divided by the dividing unit; and a printing unit configured to print the print data on a tape-shaped print medium in accordance with the layout input by the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8797561
    Abstract: [Task] When data is printed to a printing device from a computer, the printing is approved or not approved according to the data contents. [Solution] A first control filter 23, which detects printing data output from a spooler 10, halts the printing task temporarily, and replicates the printing data, and a viewable image driver 20 which uses replicated printing data to create an image file, are provided. The image file is transmitted over a network 2 to a manager, and the manager views the image file and decides whether to perform printing on the printing device 4, and transmits a notification signal to this effect to the first control filter 23. The first control filter 23 performs printing control according to the notification signal from the manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Science Park Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Shoji, Takashi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8792137
    Abstract: In a control apparatus, first type binary image data representing density of pixels arranged along a first image direction at a first resolution is acquired, and a first determining process is executed to determine an exposure pattern used to execute exposures of exposure lines at a second resolution lower than the first resolution along a first exposure direction. In the first determining process, a partial exposure pattern for exposing an output partial area that is correlated with a binary partial area and that overlaps N successive exposure lines is determined such that distribution of exposure amounts in the output partial area along the first exposure direction differs according to layout of second-value pixels in the binary partial area at least in the first image direction, thereby enabling an image of color material to be formed through development at a resolution higher than the second resolution in the first exposure direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Shimahashi
  • Patent number: 8792141
    Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed to automatically extract data from documents, such as scanned paper forms and/or digital forms that need to be pre-configured to understand a layout for the forms to be processed. The system extracts data from the form definition at a two dimensional barcode and dynamically configures a workflow with services for extracting desired user filled information from the data fields present on the form. Support for a re-flowable service is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Moore, Francois Ragnet
  • Patent number: 8792120
    Abstract: A system and method for acquiring document services is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ehud Chatow, Kay-Yut Chen
  • Patent number: 8792113
    Abstract: The advantage of the invention is to prevent the efficiency of printing from being deteriorated due to execution of an authentication process during a print process by arranging an authentication process not to be conducted during a print process. The multi-purpose device is connected to the authentication switch through the LAN. The authentication switch conducts an authentication process of a device connected to the LAN, and disconnects a connection between the device and the network in a case where the device cannot be authenticated. The multi-purpose device has the authentication requesting section that requests the authentication process with respect to the authentication switch; and the printing mechanism that prints print data. In a case where the printing mechanism conducts the print process, the authentication requesting section requests the authentication process before the printing mechanism starts the print process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Hiroshige, Mamoru Sakai, Katsuyuki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8792122
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to generate image data of print data containing a drawing object for reuse within a job includes a cache unit, an object parallel processing unit, a page parallel processing unit, and a processing control unit. The cache unit generates data based on the drawing object and caches generated data. The object parallel processing unit divides each page of the print data per drawing object unit and subjects a divided page to raster image processor (RIP) processing in parallel. The page parallel processing unit subjects the print data to the RIP processing per page unit. The processing control unit controls such that, in the print data, the object parallel processing unit executes processing sequentially from an initial page until the data having a value equal to or more than a threshold value is cached and the page parallel processing unit executes processing after the data is cached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8792112
    Abstract: When a simple error for which power off is unnecessary for the error resolution is generated, a movement process is executed without waiting to receive the button operation of the user, when conditions including a paper jam possibility condition are satisfied in a case where a motor error in which the CR motor is generated, a movement process is executed after waiting to receive the button operation of the user, and when the conditions including the paper jam possibility condition are not satisfied even when a motor error is generated, an error display process for a fatal error is performed. In this manner, when the process for a simple error with respect to the generated motor error is executed, the user may perform, for example, removal of the paper that is the cause of the paper jam or the like before the movement process is executed by the button operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takanori Uematsu
  • Patent number: 8786885
    Abstract: An image forming machine includes an image data memory, an image data mapper, and a printer. For an envelope, the image data memory stores image data to be printed on a back of the body and a face of the flap, as backside image data. Based on this data, the image data mapper generates print data including a first print data to be printed on the body back and a second print data to be printed on the flap face. The printer prints a part of the backside image data on the body back in accordance with the first print data, and a remaining part of the backside image data on the flap face in accordance with the second print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Shimoda, Eiji Hori, Akira Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8786880
    Abstract: Systems and algorithmic processes directed to first and second image processing devices connected to a network for distributed processing/printing. The first device receives a print job from a user device, and divides the print job into a plurality of portions of the print job which require image processing prior to printing. These portions are then transmitted to a number of the second devices which are compatible with distributed processing/printing and which are in an idle status mode. The second devices process the portions by, for example, rasterizing the portions, and then transmit the rasterized portions back to the first device. The first device assembles the rasterized portions into an assembled print job which is ready for printing. The first device prints the assembled print job or transmits the assembled print job to another networked device for printing, facsimile transmission, email transmission or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Oba, Tomoki Hattori
  • Patent number: 8780391
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is connected to other image processing apparatuses and a file server via a network and includes a document obtaining unit configured to obtain document data and attribute information including format information and generator apparatus information of the document data from the file server, a processability determining unit configured to determine whether the obtained document data are processable by the image processing apparatus based on the format information, an apparatus identifying unit configured to identify one of the other image processing apparatuses as a generator apparatus that has generated the document data based on the generator apparatus information if the processability determining unit determines that the obtained document data are not processable by the image processing apparatus, and a function obtaining unit configured to obtain a functional program for processing the document data from the generator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Ohta
  • Patent number: 8780398
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, provided is a mobile terminal, that includes: an operation display unit that displays information and receives operation input; an operation detection unit that detects operation of the operation display unit; a motion detection unit that detects a motion of the mobile terminal; a data selection unit that selects data to be output; an output destination determining unit that determines an external apparatus serving as an output destination of the selected data; and an output instruction unit that gives an instruction of outputting the data to the external apparatus when the motion is detected by the motion detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Michiko Fujii, Jun Murata, Koji Suzuki, Takayuki Kunieda, Keiya Shibata
  • Patent number: 8780383
    Abstract: A fax document can be either uploaded to a fax server in a vPBX network or generated dynamically. For dynamic generation, pre-configured templates can be stored either on a mobile device or on a fax server. A user can use a mobile device connected to a vPBX network as a controlling device to direct generation of faxes on a fax server. The generation of faxes can be customized based on a geographic location of the mobile device. The generated fax can be downloaded onto a mobile device. The user can digitally sign the fax using a touch-screen input device on the mobile device. The digitally signed fax can be transmitted to a destination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Vendrow, Vladimir Shmunis
  • Patent number: 8780385
    Abstract: A print control unit 118 that, once it receives a datacasting automatic activation notification or a datacasting manual activation notification, determines whether or not datacasting is present for a currently selected channel. In a case in which datacasting is present, the print control unit 118 acquires maintenance information acquired from a printer 200 through a maintenance information acquisition process. Based on the acquired maintenance information, the print control unit 118 determines whether or not to issue a command to the printer 200 requesting execution of a maintenance process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ohno, Yuichi Matsumoto, Shinya Oda
  • Patent number: 8780395
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for printing online resources. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request to print an online resource that is presented at a user device according to a presentation format in which a first advertisement is presented at a first presentation position. A print format for a print-out of the online resource is selected. The print format specifies a second advertisement position at which a second advertisement is included in the print-out of the online resource. The second advertisement is selected based, at least in part, on characteristics of the second advertisement position. The second advertisement can be a different advertisement than the first advertisement. Data that cause the resource and the second advertisement to be printed according to the print format are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Adam I. Juda, Prem Ramaswami
  • Patent number: 8780363
    Abstract: A printing device and a control method for a printing device enable eliminating paper feed error due to slipping between a paper feed roller and recording paper when printing. The control unit of a thermal printer has a slippage calculator that runs a process to calculate slippage between the recording paper and platen roller when conveying the recording paper during printing, and a conveyance distance correction unit that runs a process to correct the paper feed distance of the recording paper when printing to each printing area based on the slippage that was just calculated. The conveyance distance correction unit runs a process that inserts a non-printing area d of a length corresponding to the slippage to one or plural specific positions in the original print image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Omoto, Toshiaki Koike
  • Patent number: 8780396
    Abstract: A printing apparatus is connected to a host computer via a network, and operates in a first mode in which network communication is enabled and in a second mode in which network communication is disabled. The printing apparatus transmits a query about print data to the host computer after transition when having transited to the first mode from the second mode. Further, upon reception of print data having been transmitted by the host computer as a response to the query, the printing apparatus performs printing on the basis of the print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Toshihiro
  • Patent number: 8773685
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for decreasing the time required for a photo-printing device (such as a commercial photo-printing kiosk) to print a plurality of digital images. For example, the digital images may be transferred from a print client to a print server and stored in a RAMdisk at the print server prior to printing. Image processing may be performed on at least some of the digital images prior to the initiation of printing. The digital images may be processed in decreasing order of estimated image processing time. Two or more of these techniques may be combined to decrease the total time required to print the digital images by, for example, increasing the speed with which images may be accessed, decreasing the amount of time that passes before printing begins, and enabling all of the digital images to be printed without stopping and restarting the print engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventor: David R. Robins
  • Patent number: 8773686
    Abstract: An image processing method includes printing out a layout mark-sensing sheet indicating a plurality of different sample image layout options that graphically indicate different layouts of an image to be printed on a recording medium that has a specific shape. The layout mark-sensing sheet allows a user to mark the layout mark-sensing sheet to designate a specific image layout option from among the plurality of different sample image layout options. The layout mark-sensing sheet marked by the user is read and the image is printed on the recording medium based on the specific image layout option marked by the user on the layout mark-sensing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisao Terajima
  • Patent number: 8773688
    Abstract: A CPU in a control circuit part powers off a tape printer when a pressing signal is continuously input from a power switch during a predetermined time on condition that the tape printer is connected to a LAN, in other words, on condition that a LAN connection signal is input from a communication control circuit part. Also, the CPU powers off the tape printer at the almost same time when the pressing signal is input from the power switch on condition that the tape printer is not connected to the LAN, in other words, on condition that the LAN connection signal is not input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kyosuke Torii
  • Patent number: 8773680
    Abstract: The print output system obtains, when performing printing from a first application that is operated in a first execution environment, information regarding a printer driver, and determines whether or not settings of print functionality can fully be performed in the first execution environment. If it is determined that the settings of print functionality cannot fully be performed, then the print output system causes a second application that is operated in a second execution environment to display a user interface through which print settings are executed and to execute print output, allowing fully utilizing the print functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Yamamichi
  • Patent number: 8773710
    Abstract: A controlling device may be configured to generate a first type of intermediate data using the original data after accepting a print instruction for printing the original image and before accepting a setting instruction for setting a print condition from a user. The controlling device may be configured to store the first type of intermediate data within a memory. The controlling device may be configured to generate print data using the first type of intermediate data within the memory in accordance with the print condition after accepting the setting instruction. The controlling device may be configured to supply the print data to a print performing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Tsugimura
  • Patent number: 8773682
    Abstract: An image forming system may include an image forming apparatus, an information processing device configured to send print data to the image forming apparatus, and a destination device configured to receive error information sent from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may include a control device configured to determine whether the destination device is available to provide notification of the error information. The control device may be further configured to enforce print restriction controls to start the printing operation of the print data received from the information processing device when the destination device is available to provide notification of the error information and to not start the printing operation of the print data when the destination device is not available to provide notification of the error information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kana Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8773672
    Abstract: There is provided a multifunction peripheral which comprises a first storage unit configured to store a relationship between a state change and at least one function expected to be used in relation to the state change, a detection unit configured to detect the state change, a function extraction unit configured to firstly extract at least one function which is expected to be used in relation to the state change detected by the detection unit in accordance with the relationship stored in the first storage unit and to secondly extract at least one function for which a predetermined condition concerning availability of each function is satisfied from among the firstly extracted at least one function, and a warm-up operation control unit configured to execute a warm-up operation of at least one device used to execute the at least one function secondly extracted by the function extraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michio Inaba
  • Patent number: 8773691
    Abstract: To make it easier for a user to print at an intended printing apparatus when performing printing with a printing apparatus which is managed by a server, among printers which were accessed by the user who is a request source, and are at the same location as that specified by the user, the printer capable of printing based on the print setting corresponding to that user is determined as the printing destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Shirai
  • Patent number: 8773707
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to implement dynamic user intent-based finisher options in image forming and document handling systems. The common framework is provided to implement the by which all of the individual component finishing devices are able to be mapped to a particular user's desires such that an output from the complex image forming system meets the user's requirements. Operations of a particular complex image forming system are defined logically. Mappings to the individual devices according to a common reference framework are then overlaid and manipulated according to the common framework. In this manner, a user defines his or her intent in an effort to direct finishing of the document in the manner the user intends rather than according to a default understanding of the finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Roberts Conlon
  • Patent number: 8773692
    Abstract: A printing control apparatus includes: an accepting unit that accepts a setting regarding layout printing for laying out multiple document pages in order on a sheet-by-sheet basis; a selection unit that, in the case where the layout printing setting has been accepted by the accepting unit, displays graphic images of the multiple document pages and allows a specific page for which layout printing is not to be carried out to be selected from among the graphic images; a layout processing unit that does not perform the layout for the specific page selected through the selection unit and does perform the layout for the document pages aside from the specific page; and a print data generation unit that generates print data of the multiple document pages based on a result of the processing performed by the layout processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8767241
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for selection of print services in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a request (e.g., comprising a print job) is received from a user, and a print template is identified. The print template generally comprises a set of parameters (e.g., paper size, colors, etc.) for printing the print job request. A location of the user will be determined, and a set of printers (e.g., within a predetermined proximity of the location) that is capable of printing the job in accordance with the set of parameters is identified. Thereafter, a particular printer will be identified from the set of printers based on a set of service level commitments (e.g., a desired distance from the location, a queue length, etc.). The job can then be sent to the particular printer for printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tian Ming Pan, Randy A. Rendahl
  • Patent number: 8769325
    Abstract: Considering a position relation between client devices and an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus is appropriately shifted to a power saving mode. A position information storage portion stores information of a position relation between each of the client devices and the image processing apparatus, a monitored target extracting portion extracts, from among the client devices, a client device to be monitored whether or not to be online based on information including at least the information of the position relation, a status confirming portion confirms whether or not the client device extracted is online, a power saving mode shift judging portion judges whether or not to shift the image processing apparatus to a power saving mode based on a confirmation result, and a power controlling portion controls shifting to the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus based on a judgment result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8767224
    Abstract: A printer includes a transport section which transports a medium, an image recording section which records and lines up a plurality of images in longitudinal direction of the medium based on an image data set which includes a plurality of image data, and a cutting section which obtains image sheets with one image at a time recorded thereon due to cutting of the medium in a width direction of the medium, where the cutting section is provided with a leading edge cutting section which cuts once at a position on a downstream side in the transport direction with regard to a first image out of the plurality of images, and a between-image cutting section which cuts twice at each position between two adjacent images out of the plurality of images where a predetermined margin has been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8767228
    Abstract: The present invention provides an operation controlling method of an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the said operation controlling method. The image forming apparatus is provided with a main controlling unit and a development unit, wherein a first information is stored in the development unit, and the main controlling unit determines an operation controlling on the image forming apparatus based on the first information when a power source is turned from OFF to ON in a state of when a cover of the image forming apparatus is closed or when the cover of the image forming apparatus is changed from open to closed in a state of when the power source is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Xue Fei
  • Patent number: 8767225
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus over a network is provided. When being accessed from the information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus obtains user information on a user of the information processing apparatus and device information on a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus from data received through communication involved in the access, and stores the user information and the device information. When the operator using an operating panel to operate the image forming apparatus corresponds to the user, the image forming apparatus makes settings a function thereof to be provided to the operator in such a manner that the function is made similar to a function of the information processing apparatus indicated in the device information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Haruna Sasakuma
  • Patent number: 8767234
    Abstract: A home/office printer for selectively printing and transmitting photographs as recorded on a memory card is disclosed. The printer includes a read-slot for inserting a memory card and a network coupling for transferring photographic images to an online printing service. The printer further includes an operating software, which is configured to print the photographic images recorded on a memory card and alternatively to transfer the photographic images data to an online printing service, as a print order, via the network coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Maria Del Carmen Tate
  • Patent number: 8767230
    Abstract: A variable printing system includes: an image forming apparatus including an engine for variable printing; a device communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus; a first control section included in one of the image forming apparatus and the device; and a second control section included in one of the image forming apparatus and the device. The first control section acquires setting information of the engine corresponding to a job instructing variable printing, and performs one of adding the setting information into the job, and storing the setting information in a form of a database. The second control section analyses an output result of a job which has been executed and setting information of the engine corresponding to the job, and instructs the engine, based on a result of the analysis, to change a setting of the engine corresponding to a job to be executed or being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoko Otomaru, Kazuto Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8762716
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main controller unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus. The main controller includes a replacement component management memory to store lifespan information of a replacement component is provided in An authentication operation is performed with respect to the replacement component management memory, and the lifespan information of the replacement component is encrypted and stored in the replacement component management memory. Accordingly, the security of the main controller unit may be enhanced and illegal use of the replacement component may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon Seop Eom, Se Hyun Lyu, Jung Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8760689
    Abstract: A computer readable device storing print control instructions to be executed by a computer communicatively connected to at least one printer via a network is provided. The print control instructions comprise at least a monitoring program. The monitoring program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to function as: a monitoring module configured to monitor setting information in which location information of the printer on the network is written to detect writing of the location information, and a port setting module configured to, upon detection of the writing of the location information, set a logical print port having the written location information set therein as a print port to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuma Saito
  • Patent number: 8760696
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a user can switch an operation condition of an image processing apparatus while confirming a power saving effect. To this end, the image processing apparatus determines usage status of a print mode, determines an operation condition to be changed based on the determined usage status, and determines the electric energy to change if the operation condition is changed. The image processing apparatus shows the user the operation condition to be changed and how much the amount of electric energy is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ushiku
  • Patent number: 8760717
    Abstract: To provide an intermediate transfer belt, containing a base, an elastic layer formed on the base, and spherical particles deposited on a surface of the elastic layer, in which wherein the elastic layer has micro rubber hardness of 40° or lower in the environment of 10° C. and 15% RH, and the intermediate transfer belt is designed to be mounted in an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Kubo, Jun Aoto, Kenichi Mashiko, Sayaka Katoh, Shinichi Nitta
  • Patent number: 8760703
    Abstract: A system includes electronic apparatuses, an information terminal, and an information processing apparatus connected via a data communication line to the electronic apparatuses and the information terminal. The information processing apparatus includes a job executing apparatus determining unit configured to perform a determination process based on apparatus information received from the electronic apparatuses to determine one of the electronic apparatuses as an executing electronic apparatus for executing a requested job, and a data conversion unit configured to convert requested job data received from the information terminal into converted data that the executing electronic apparatus can process and transmit the converted data to the executing electronic apparatus to request execution of the requested job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8757491
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a memory that stores a program including a procedure; and a processor that executes the program, the procedure including: acquiring an image including a plurality of pixels, and changing luminance of the pixel that is included in either a high luminance part of a barcode region or a low luminance part the barcode region, the barcode region being set on the image, based on a luminance difference between the high luminance part and the low luminance part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Nobuyasu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8760693
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a repetitive object is appropriate for being measured for density correction, a decision unit configured to decide, from pages including the repetitive object determined as appropriate for being measured for the density correction, a plurality of measurement pages to be measured for the density correction and a measurement position in the measurement pages, a measurement unit configured to measure density of the measurement position in the printed measurement pages, and a density correction unit configured to perform the density correction according to the measured density in the measurement pages for a page different from the measurement pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yabe