Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing original image data that is bit mapped in a main-scanning direction X and a sub-scanning direction Y first multiplies linearly aligned dots in the main-scanning direction X of the original bit mapped image data by a positive integer Dy to generate Dy lines of linearly aligned dots adjoining each other in the sub-scanning direction Y as a first group of the subscanning direction Y. Other functions include second multiplying following linearly aligned dots in the main-scanning direction X of the original bit mapped image data by a positive integer Ry to generate Ry lines of linearly aligned dots adjoining each other in the sub-scanning direction Y as a second group of the sub-scanning direction Y, and multiplying further following linearly aligned dots in the main-scanning direction X of the original bit mapped image data by repeating the above first and second multiplying steps.

Abstract: Computation and data-storage are minimized in both accounting for element condition and reallocation of print tasks away from subnominal elements. An accounting function maintains an element-condition tabulation partly in a cumulative form—representing element stability directly without later interpretation. A reallocation distributes print burden from a subnominal element to plural other elements without making a new mask. Rather, entries for a poor element in a current mask are shifted prospectively and quickly to other elements serving the same pixel rows.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for a pagewidth inkjet printer that includes an array of printhead chips that span a print area includes an elongate support structure for supporting the array of printhead chips. A plurality of printed circuit boards are mounted end-to-end on the support structure. Each printed circuit board includes a memory device. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is connected to the memory device. The ASIC is configured to accept data to be written to the memory device and to write data from the memory device to a number of respective printhead chips. A serial bus is connected to the ASIC to write data to the ASIC. A microcontroller is connected to the ASIC so that the microcontroller can write data to the memory device, via the ASIC. A plurality of connectors is provided. Each connector is interposed between a respective ASIC and respective printhead chips.

Abstract: In order to prevent wasting of printing paper by reducing blank portions on the paper when an image to be printed is smaller than the paper, the size of a plurality of images designated to be printed out is compared with the size of the printing paper, the plurality of images are laid out so that as many as possible will fit on one sheet of the printing paper, and the images thus laid out are printed.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to automatically select an optimum printing device according to the characteristics of a page in units of pages to print the page, thereby reducing the load on the operator in print processing. For this purpose, it is determined in units of pages whether data to be printed contains color information. If color information is present, a color flag is set to ON. When the color flag is ON, print data prepared and developed in a page buffer is sent to a color printer. When the color flag is OFF, the print data prepared and developed in the page buffer is sent to a monochromatic printer.

Abstract: A system is described for generating a digital image. A hand-held airbrush controller generates three-dimensional signal information and user trigger information. A plurality of receivers receives the three-dimensional signal information. A computer has a digital display and couples with the receivers to define a three-dimensional position of the controller. The computer is responsive to the user trigger information to generate the digital image on the display as a function of the user trigger information and the three-dimensional position. The airbrush controller includes a wireless transmitter that generates the three-dimensional signal information as signal burst information; the receivers include at least three wireless receivers for detecting the wireless signal burst information. The computer generates synchronization signals to initiate the signal burst information.

Abstract: In a method for engraving a printing cylinder using an engraving member in an electronic engraving machine, an engraving tool of an engraving member controlled by an engraving signal engraves a sequence of grooves arranged in a printing screen in a rotating printing cylinder. The engraving signal is formed by superimposing an image signal representing the shade values of light and dark of the grooves to be engraved and a periodic screen signal for generating the printing screen. In order to compensate for disruptive influences on the shade values of the engraved grooves resulting from operating temperatures in the engraving member, the operating temperature in the engraving member is measured at at least one measurement point. Depending on at least one measuring temperature, the electrical control of the engraving member is corrected and/or the temperature of at least one component of the engraving member and/or the air circulating around the engraving member is modified.

Abstract: In an ink-jet recording apparatus, when an intensity of the energy of electromagnetic waves of a predetermined region is E and an optical density of the image recorded on a recording medium based on an image signal is D, a controller conducts the image recording such that a characteristic curve representing a change of the optical density D for a logarithm of the energy intensity E becomes a monotone increasing function or a monotone decreasing function. When &ggr;1, &ggr;2 and &ggr;3 are defined on the characteristic curve such that an inclination of a line connecting points corresponding to E1 and E2 is &ggr;1, an inclination of a line connecting points corresponding to E3 and E4 is &ggr;2, and an inclination of a line connecting points corresponding to E5 and E6 is &ggr;3, the characteristic curve is determined so as to satisfy the following formulas: |&ggr;1|<|&ggr;2| and |&ggr;3|<|&ggr;2|.

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: A recording medium cutter capable of moving between two positions, a cutting position and a non-cutting position, in a short time, and also capable of cutting a recording medium at accurate positions. A main body (40) rotatably holding a rotary blade (32) and a driven blade (34) is located between side plates (36 and 38) of the cutter (30). A main shaft (39) serving as the center shaft of the rotary blade (32) is rotatably secured to the side plates (36 and 38). The main shaft (39) also serves as the rotating shaft of the main body (40). A driving motor is secured to the mounting plate (42) of the side plate (36). When the main shaft (39) is rotated by the driving motor (44), the rotary blade (32) rotates. Because the driven blade (34) is pressed against the side face of the rotary blade (32), as the rotary blade (32) rotates, the driven blade (34) revolves around the main shaft (39). As a result, the main body (40) also rotates around the main shaft (39).

Abstract: A virtual ejection port is selected by assigning virtual ejection ports to the virtual N ejection ports, then an ejection port of the apparatus is selected for output, and, in response to the entry of a print job designated for output to the virtual ejection port, the ejection port of the apparatus is determined by correlating the virtual ejection port with the ejection port of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of providing print job attributes for later access before printing of the job includes collecting and storing print job attributes of the print job in a manner that makes them accessible for viewing. The attributes may later be viewed in response to a user query of a stored print job. From the attributes, a user can determine when and whether the stored print job should be printed. The collected attributes may also be used to determine the order of printing jobs stored in a print queue.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus is equipped with a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for forming an image on a recording medium. A binarized image data storage unit stores binarized image data for on-off control of the recording elements of the recording head. A correction data storage unit stores density irregularity correction data for correcting irregularities in density which occur when the recording elements of the recording head are respectively driven to form the image for each of the recording elements. A density irregularity correction unit corrects, prior to the image formation, the binarized image data stored in the binarized image data storage unit on the basis of the density irregularity correction data stored in the correction data storage unit.

Abstract: A method to improve image quality in a printing device by storing in a memory of the printer at least a medium definition for a first medium, in a format which structures data about said first medium; and using the data contained in said medium definition when printing onto said first media. A downloadable media profile (210) for a first medium contains values for a plurality of parameters. A printing device comprises the downloaded media profile (210), firmware components (230) for managing the printing process, passing means (250), responsive to said firmware components (230), for passing data from said profile (210) to said firmware components (230) when printing on said first media.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller having an integrated circuit for image processing. The controller is connected to an engine via a peripheral component interconnect (PCI). The engine includes a plotter and a scanner. The controller includes a central processing unit (CPU) to which a chip-set is connected via an accelerated graphics port (AGP). The controller also includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that controls whether to output scanner image data, which is data acquired by the scanner, to the PCI as plotter data for the plotter, or to output the scanner image data to the AGP, or to output image data input through the AGP to the PCI as plotter data for the plotter. The ASIC includes a combiner that combines a plurality of image data.

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 digital printing device is manually moved across a medium, and automatically prints an image on the medium by selectively engaging one or more print elements at positions corresponding to the image. Preferably, the printing device comprises a multi-element print head a pair of optical sensors which provide position and orientation data. A controller causes the print head to print the image responsive to the location and orientation determined by the optical sensors. The printing device may be hand-held and integrated into a personal digital assistant device.

Abstract: A method for transforming a source image into a target image with the original resolution N time to the target resolution is disclosed. The original image data of pixels is read and stored for N scan lines and grouped into a series of matrices each including N2 pixels. The matrices are then classified into various matrix types defined previously, wherein matrices with different numbers of original dots are classified as different matrix types. The target image is formed with a plurality of target units each determined based on one corresponding matrix. In general, a target unit is drawn with target dots having a larger total area when its corresponding matrix includes a larger number of the original dots.

Abstract: A raster-type drawing machine (plotter), automatically controlled from a controller, which consists in a tubular structure of rigid elements that join and support the elements of feeding, printing, advancement, and collection of sheet material. The sheet-paper-collection and feeding modules are formed by a set of rollers and disks that support the sheet material. The controlled one-way movement of the sheet material in the direction X is carried out through two rollers whose length is much smaller than the width of the material to be printed. The machine includes guides fixed to its structure through which a carriage set carrying the print heads moves according to axis Y.

Abstract: A density pattern based on density pattern data, which represents a density pattern having uniform density, is recorded on a recording sheet by a thermal head. Then, the recording sheet is conveyed by an endless belt, with the conveyance direction matched to a widthwise direction of the recording sheet. By this conveyance, the density pattern is detected by a CCD, which is fixedly positioned in the vicinity of the thermal head, thus obtaining shading correction data. Image data, which represents an image to be recorded on the recording sheet, is corrected by the shading correction data, and corrected image data is obtained thereby. An image based on the corrected image data is recorded on the recording sheet.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for the immediate issuance of personalized identification cards during client interviews. The invention relates to the creation of personalized cards and recording of personal information on a realtime basis while a client is being interviewed by a card issuing authority. More particularly, the invention electronically records and permanently prints client personal information on cards using a computer and printing system in a single client contact. The invention immediately issues only a single permanent card, eliminating the need and expense of a delay in issuing a permanent card or in issuing two cards; a first temporary card and a second permanent card. The invention also eliminates the need for more expensive personalizing equipment.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided which allow a print pass to be initiated even if a swath buffer in a multi-pass printer has not stored enough print data to utilize the full printhead. In one embodiment, if the swath buffer is full, a print pass is initiated using the existing print data in the swath buffer, which may result in using less than the full printhead. By allowing a print pass to start when the swath buffer is full, problems such as inconsistent, delayed, or interrupted printing are minimized or eliminated. In another embodiment, if a certain period of time has passed since a previous print pass, a print pass is initiated using existing print data in the swath buffer to print new rows and to print over previously printed partial rows to minimize hue shifts.

Abstract: A graphics plotting apparatus which can realize both optimum division of a processing system into blocks and optimum arrangement of the blocks and can be augmented in terms of the performance for a three-dimensional graphics plotting process. The graphics plotting apparatus includes a logic circuit block and a memory block having a capacity sufficient to store display data to be displayed. Both blocks are built in the same chip. An input buffer having a capacity for more than one apex of a three-dimensional graphics plotting primitive is provided, and an interface for transfer of data to and from the outside and the input buffer are arranged on one side of the logic circuit block. A DDA setup circuit is arranged adjacent the input buffer, and a triangle DDA circuit is arranged adjacent the DDA setup circuit. A pair of texture processing circuit blocks are arranged adjacent the triangle DDA circuit.

Abstract: A plurality of plotting data generated for image output by an application program of a host computer are subjected to buffering; it is determined whether or not the plurality of buffered plotting data can be described by a smaller number of plotting data; and, when determined as capable of being described by a smaller number of plotting data, the plurality of buffered plotting data are converted into a smaller number of plotting data.

Abstract: A data communication unit (1) receives input image data of a first data format which comprises coordinate data of the end points of vectors forming an image and various modifying information of the vectors, and stores them in an input buffer (2). A data analyzer unit (3) converts the input image data into image data of a second data format and stores the data in a storage unit (6). The second data format holds the various modifying information independently of the coordinate data of the end points, decreasing the amount of data compared with the first data format. Based on the image data of the second data format, the data analyzer unit (3) generates, in a band-by-band manner, intermediate codes comprising coordinate data that constitute the contours of the vectors reflecting the various modifying information. The intermediate codes are converted into corresponding raster data in a band-by-band manner, and are printed as an image by a printer unit (10).

Abstract: Compressed color image data are received, including a color table having first format data entries, each of which represents one of a number of different colors in a first data format, also including an index into the color table for each of several pixels. The first format data entries for the different colors are processed so as to obtain second format data entries, each of which represents one of the different colors in a second data format. A look-up table is then generated that includes the second format data entries for the different colors. A second format data value is then obtained for each of the pixels by using the index for the pixel to address the look-up table.

Abstract: A print control system and a print control method thereof are disclosed. The print control system comprises a print instruction system issuing a print request for printing a print object, and a plurality of print servers connected to the print instruction system through a data communication network, the respective print server having a print processing device for printing out the print object.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for plotting a raster image on a plane record carrier. A computer-stored raster image includes raster points and is convertable into controllable, raster-point related light beams in which picture elements corresponding to the raster points are plotted on the record carrier. The method includes dividing the computer raster image into matrix-like imaginary computer raster image subareas, dividing the raster image of the record carrier into matrix-like imaginary raster image subareas of the record carrier, and associating the subareas of the computer raster image and the subareas of the raster image of the record carrier with each other. The method further includes dividing the computer raster image subareas into n matrix-like imaginary raster point positions, dividing the raster image subareas of the record carrier into n matrix-like imaginary picture element positions, and associating the n matrix-like picture element positions with the n matrix-like raster point positions.