Abstract: A shuttle-type printer has a movable carriage to carry and position at least one pen over a printing surface. The printer also has a carriage positioning system coupled to move the carriage at a slew rate in swaths over the printing surface. The carriage positioning system starts the carriage at a starting position for individual swaths. The carriage positioning system implements techniques for masking the effects of periodic vibrations in the printer. According to one technique, the carriage positioning system varies the starting position for the individual swaths. According to a second technique, the carriage positioning system makes multiple passes before advancing the recording media and varies the slew rate for individual passes. The techniques do not eliminate or reduce the vibrations themselves, but mask their effects in the print results that are caused by period vibrations in the printer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising input means for inputting print data from the exterior, ID setting means for setting an ID for each page of the print data inputted by the input means, print condition designation means for designating the print condition, corresponding to the ID set by the ID setting means, print reservation means for reserving a print operation by storing the ID and the print condition in a print reservation memory, control means for causing the reserved print operation to be executed according to the content of the print reservation memory, and reservation cancellation means adapted, upon receiving an instruction to cancel a print reservation, to erase the corresponding ID and print condition from the print reservation memory, if a sheet corresponding to the designated ID in the print reservation memory is in a stand-by state for sheet feeding.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining an optimal imposition plan for printing and folding a product, the method including (a) calculating a plurality of imposition plans from a given set of input data including product specification data of the product, printing press data of a printing press for printing the product and folding machine data of a folding machine for folding the product and (b) selecting the optimal imposition plan from the plurality of imposition plans.

Abstract: When a character key is pressed for inputting a character (S103: YES), the inputted character is stored in RAM so that the character will be inserted into the position of a caret in a character string (S105). The size of each character is determined based on the length of the character string containing the added character, etc., while the length of a tape image is changed based on the determined character size and the number of lines of the character strings so that the whole character string can be accommodated in the tape image (S106). When the caret goes out of a display range (S108: NO), the tape image is moved so that the caret will be within the display range (S109), by which the operator is allowed to easily check actual layout of a printed tape without the need of performing a complicated manual operation.

Abstract: In a method and system for printing computer generated images a multiple-page sheet is prepared for printing on a printing engine, starting from an input of pages in page description language (PDL) files for each page of a multiple-page sheet and having an output in a bitmap format for the multiple-page sheet. The method includes an imposition method step, the system an imposition module or impositioner. Prior to imposition, each of the page description language (PDL) files of the pages to be combined on the multiple-page single sheet are, in a rendering method step, renderer or rendering modules rendered into bitmaps or pixelmaps, wherein the rendering method step encompasses imposition related operations in dependency on imposition parameters. Thereafter imposition of the bitmap files into a sheet bitmap file is performed.

Abstract: In a system having at least one workstation, at least one image reproduction device, such as a copying machine or a printer, and a digital network to which the workstation and the image reproduction device are connected, the workstation is provided with a control program for communication with the image reproduction device, in order to call up or receive information from the image reproduction device concerning the status thereof, and for displaying current status information as to the image reproduction device on the workstation display screen. This control program detects that the image reproduction device is in an energy conservation mode, and is adapted to display this information on the workstation display screen as well.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a carrier-compliant shipping label for a supplier to transport a product to a consumer includes determine a shipping rate for a shipping method of a carrier to transport the product to the consumer and determining a time period for transporting the product. The consumer may select the carrier based upon the shipping rate and the time period. Some embodiments generate a carrier-compliant shipping label for the product and deliver the carrier-compliant shipping label to the supplier to transport the product from the supplier to the consumer. In such embodiments, determining a shipping rate may include retrieving the weight and location of the product from the data received from the supplier to determine the rates of a carrier from a rate table or via a carrier interface.

Abstract: Provided is a printing method and the like in which the copying time can be shortened. A printing method for printing a print image on a medium comprises: a step of storing, in a memory area, image data that has been generated by reading an image in an original; a step of determining whether or not the whole image data corresponding to the print image can be stored, in terms of size, in the memory area; and a step of performing printing up to a preset number of sheets based on the image data in the memory area if it is determined that the whole image data can be stored in terms of size.

Abstract: A printer and a process for correlating printed subject matter with subject matter that is meant to be printed by a printer with a printing mechanism or print engine such as a thermal printer including a print head, a platen, a media upon which labels are printed and a printer controller for imparting print data to the print head. An imager sends printed data as imaged to a read after print (RAP) controller for comparing the data received from the imager to data imparted to the print head or other printing mechanism. A tap, taps the data imparted from the print head and correlates it with the imaged data to determine the media speed, the image alignment, label analysis, weighing of blemishes, the gaps printed on a label, and other criteria.

Abstract: In a 1-pass print operation, when the print data for a print-dot line D2 is beyond a last end L of a printable area in paper P, the data is developed while a data developing position is shifted so that the print data for the print-dot line D2 is not beyond the last print position L. An amount of feeding paper P is also changed in correspondence with the shifted data developing position. In 2-pass print operation, e.g., an interlace print operation, the print data for a print-dot line D5 or D6 is beyond the last end L, the print data is developed while a data developing position is shifted so that the print data for the print-dot line D5 or D6 is not beyond the last end L. An amount of feeding paper P is changed in correspondence with the shifted data developing position at the same time.

Abstract: A system for print job accounting in a computer system is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a printer in electronic communication with the computing device. Executable instructions are disposed in an electronic communication path between the printer and the computing device and are configured to add to a print job a new address as a destination for a status message. A pre-print analysis of the print job is performed. The instructions determine if the print job should be sent to a printer based on the pre-print analysis. The print job is sent to the printer. The status message is received that includes actual performance information relating to the print job. The actual performance information is communicated to an accounting system. In addition, the status message is sent to a monitor program.

Abstract: A representative embodiment provides for a document printing apparatus having a print engine a print engine configured to print sheet media, and an output tray configured to receive printed sheet media from the print engine. The printing apparatus further includes a memory device, a processor, and a sheet media detector. The sheet media detector is configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sheet media in the output tray and to generate a signal in response thereto. The memory device is configured to store a document therein in electronic form. The processor is configured to receive the signal from the sheet media detector, and, in response, to cause the print engine to print the document and to place the document in the output tray.

Abstract: In black-and-white printing, a system control section rotates a revolver including a plurality of color developing devices, moves each color developing device to a non-development position relative to an image carrying body, and develops a toner image on the image carrying body using a black developing device having a default position set at a development position.

Abstract: An adjustment door (22) is provided on a housing (2) at an initial position of a carriage (3) on a side opposite to an original table (1). Accordingly, when printing medium powdery dust, dispersed ink or the like adheres to surfaces adjacent to a white reference (9) or a starting point (1a) for a scanner (20), it can be easily removed through the adjustment door (22). Since the gap between the original table (1) and the adjustment door (22) corresponds to the initial position of the carriage (3), a space for accommodating the carriage (3) at the initial position is not required at the end portion of the housing (2), and thus the size of an image input/output apparatus (100) can be reduced and the space required for it's installation can be easily obtained. Further, since a transparent detachable partition member (32) is detachably attached to a frame member (33), a printing medium jam in a printer (50) can be easily eliminated by removing the detachable partition wall (32) from the frame member (33).

Abstract: An exemplary device implementation includes: a manager that is capable of monitoring a process for preparing a page for printing; and a print engine that is capable of printing the page after the process for preparing the page for printing is complete; wherein the device is adapted to temporally overlap the process for preparing the page for printing with preparation of the print engine for printing. An exemplary method implementation includes actions of: beginning processing of a page of a printing job; providing at least one command to a print engine responsive to at least one time remaining estimate for the processing of the page of the printing job prior to completion of the processing of the page of the printing job; and changing a state of the print engine responsive to the providing of the at least one command to the print engine.

Abstract: The image printing system is capable of properly defining amount of ink without adjusting ink clearance. The image printing system includes an offset printing machine, in which proper amount of ink is supplied to a plate drum via an ink fountain roller on the basis of image data. A memory stores the image data of an original image and an ink amount table, in which rotational speed data of the ink fountain roller correspond to rate of area of picture in the original image. A control unit calculates the rate of area of picture on the basis of the image data, reads the rotational speed of the ink fountain roller from the ink amount table on the basis of the rate of area of the picture, corrects the rotational speed so as to define proper control data for rotating the ink fountain roller, and sends the proper control data to the offset printing machine so as to control the amount of ink to be supplied to the plate drum.

Abstract: Multiple components of an image produced by an image output device including a raster output scanner are registered by delaying an output high addressable bit stream for a time following each raster start of scan. A multiplicity of error values are added resulting in a total error integer component and a factional component. Following the start of scan, a line sync generator delays for a number of first clock signals proportional to the integer component. After the delay, the line sync generator signals a buffer to input a video input byte. A parallel to serial shift register converts the input video byte into a high addressable bit stream. A delay register further delays the bit stream by the fractional component, which further refines where, along the raster, the bit stream will commence. Suitably, the system corrects for the errors in run time as the fast scan line is scanned.

Abstract: A print media sensor mounting assembly includes a housing having a sensor mounting element. The sensor mounting element has a sensor position movably mounted therein for movement of the sensor position amongst a plurality of positions corresponding to a width of a print media web.

Abstract: An image collector/transmitter with the smallest transmission cost is provided which can collect images from image keeping locations with the smallest transmission cost without lowering user services such as selection of an output receiver. Position information indicating the keeping location of image data is managed, and when a print order is issued from an external apparatus, the image data for the print order is collected in accordance with the managed position information, and the collected image data and a print request for the print order are transmitted to a printer controller.

Abstract: A halftone gradation processing method reduces or eliminates the discontinuous gradation reproduction in comparison with conventional error diffusion. A halftone gradation processing method includes obtaining a position and a pixel value of a target pixel in an input image, correcting the pixel value, selecting the closest threshold to the corrected pixel value from among usable thresholds assignable to the pixel value, calculating an error between the corrected pixel value and the selected threshold, and diffusing the error around the target pixel, the pixel value correcting being corrected by the diffused error, and the selected threshold being output to an output device which may handle the assigned thresholds.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a printing system whereby a supply of sufficient data is assured to the print engine so that the print engine can run continuously and efficiently. The printing system has at least one marking engine capable of printing an image on a media as a transport moves the media past the marking engine. Buffers or sets of buffers hold completely raster image processed pages and interface logic transfers the buffered pages to the marking engine to transfer the image to the media. Buffer management logic controls the buffers so that as the printing system accumulates slack time left over from raster image processing non-complex pages, the slack time is allocated to complex pages to optimize average raster image processing time with speed of the print engine.

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: The CD-R print system 10 has a shape identical to the CD-R and the like, and the scale marks are printed on the adjustment medium AM with the base line BL previously printed thereon. The user inputs portions of the scales overlapping with the base line BL to the CD-R print system 10 via the user interface. Then, the CD-R print system 10 determines an amount of misalignment of print position based on the input information. The CD-R print system 10 reflects this amount of misalignment to generate print data. Such CD-R print system 10 enables the print position to be readily adjusted with accuracy without using a rule or the like.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a printing unit which prints an image on paper, an exit path which connects an exit of the printing unit to an exit member which pushes the paper outside of the printing unit, a plurality of guide members which are arranged widthwise of the paper, each guide member having a first guide side which guides the paper coming out of the printing unit along the exit path, wherein each guide member is installed to be movable such that the first guide side rotates when the first guide side contacts the paper which comes out of the printing unit, and returns to its original position after the paper completely passes through the printing unit.

Abstract: The present invention uses the capabilities provided by configuring linked command sequences to provide for logo headers, logo trailers, watermarks, and margin message logos as configuration options. Additionally, the ability to map existing text attributes to new sets of attributes that may include color is also provided.

Abstract: A printer stores printer position information in sequence and calculates its representative value as statistical printer position information by a statistical method. When a public key is requested by a print client, the printer generates a public key with a passphrase containing the statistical printer position information and transmits the public key to the print client. The print client generates print transmitting data by encrypting print data with this public key and transmits the print transmitting data to the printer. The printer generates a private key with a passphrase containing the statistical printer position information at this point in time and decrypts the print data.

Abstract: A printer calculates a distance between a print client which makes a print request and a printer based on print client position information and printer position information. When the distance between them is within a predetermined range, the print request from the print client is accepted, and when the distance between them is not within the predetermined range, the print request from the print client is not accepted. For example, when the print request is not accepted, the printer does not permit the print client to transmit print data to the printer. Consequently, the print request accepted by the printer is restricted by the distance between the print client and the printer.

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 method for performing manual duplex imaging includes the steps of communicating a first portion of a data file from a computer to an imaging apparatus to effect imaging on a first side of the print media; reloading the print media into a media supply tray on the imaging apparatus in preparation for imaging on a second side of the print media; sending a signal from the imaging apparatus to the computer indicating that the print media has been reloaded; and communicating a second portion of the data file from the computer to the imaging apparatus in response to the signal to effect imaging of the second side of the print media.

Abstract: A method for producing compressed or expanded images is provided. For compression or expansion in a direction of the lines of the image, a line factor is determined as a starting value for a line variable. After this, the following steps are carried out cyclically: if a momentary value of the line variable is greater than zero, the source image data being processed is copied and used as a target image data Next, the momentary value of the line variable is reduced by a numerical value. If the momentary value of the line variable is not greater than zero, the next source image data is used in the place of the source image data being treated. Then the value of the line factor is added to the momentary value of the line variable. A column based expansion or compression is also provided for expanding or compressing an image in the direction of the columns. A circuit is provided for performing the expansion or compression, and a printer having the circuit is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an image reading apparatus and method capable of performing skew error correction at high speed. In an image reading apparatus that conveys a stacked medium along a conveyance path, reads an image of the medium being conveyed, and discharges the medium after reading the image, the apparatus comprises calculation means for calculating the amount of skew of the medium while being conveyed, and correction means for correcting the amount of skew of the medium in accordance with the amount of skew calculated by the calculation means. The correction means comprise determination means for determining whether correction for the amount of skew should be performed or not, and control means for correcting the amount of skew of the medium. The calculation means comprise medium detection means for detecting the state of the medium conveyed along the conveyance path, and calculate the amount of skew from the detected result of the state of the medium.

Abstract: Information can be managed as to whether or not photographed images have been previously subjected to printing or not. In a recording medium storing image files, reception information is also recorded for managing a state of printing order reception for each of the files. A printing order reception apparatus for receiving printing orders rewrites the reception information to represent a state of reception completion, regarding the image files for which a printing order has been received.

Abstract: It is an object to allow a plurality of printers to print a document without disordering a page order. When a plurality of printers are allowed to print the document, print data is transferred to the plurality of printers so as not to disorder the page order.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus including at least one pair of feeding rollers disposed in pairs in a vertical direction at a predetermined interval to feed a sheet of recording paper picked up by a pickup roller along a sheet feeding path; a document position sensor to detect whether the sheet of paper picked up by the pickup roller reaches a set reference position; a storage unit to store an information about the position of the sheet of paper at which a white line would be produced where the storage unit stores the information by sheet size; a printing part to print an image as the sheet is fed into a printing area; and a control unit to control a feeding rate of the feeding rollers using the information stored in the storage unit regarding the white line producing position of the sheet of paper where the sheet of paper is fed at an initially set feeding rate starting from the time when the sheet of paper is detected to have reached at the reference position by the document position sensor until the time when

Abstract: A computerized method for controlling the density of pixels deposited by a print engine includes the steps of: (a) obtaining a two-dimensional pixel map of an image to be printed; (b) comparing a value of a first pixel element in the pixel map with values of pixel elements adjacent to the first pixel element in the pixel map; (c) changing the value of the first pixel element responsive to a determination, in the comparing step, that a predetermined number of pixel elements adjacent to the first pixel element have the same value as the first pixel element; and (d) dispatching the pixel map to a print engine. The comparing step (b) includes the steps of assigning like-value pixel elements immediately adjacent to the first pixel element a first weight, assigning like-value pixel elements diagonally adjacent to the first pixel element a second weight, different than the first weight, adding the assigned weights together to produce a total weight, and testing the weight against a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A proof sheet allows selection of objects for further processing with different options. Objects are selectable with different processing options for each object. A scanner is used to scan the proof sheet and identify the objects and corresponding processing options. In one embodiment, the objects are images, and the further processing is printing of the images.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to allow a person to view a subject with a feeling as if he/she faces a front of the subject even at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A label printer having a plurality of input devices for inputting information to said label printer where a first input device can be a keyboard, and a second input device can be a connectable external controlling entity; a supply of image receiving medium such as a tape; a printer adapted to print an image on the tape; and a printer controller for controlling the label printer, so that when the label printer is connected the label printer can be operated in a stand alone mode in which information can only be input to said label printer via said first input device, or an external control mode in which information can only be input to said label printer via the connecting device, such that for a predetermined period of time after use in one of the said stand alone mode and the said external control mode, any information input via the input device not in use can not operate the label printer, but after the predetermined period of time information can be input to operate the label printer via either the first in

Abstract: A system and a method to control the motion of envelopes within a postage printing module to accommodate the use of slower print techniques and to achieve high throughput in a mail processing system. Envelopes transported in a mail processing system are diverted into two or more parallel print paths. At the parallel postage printing modules envelopes are processed according to a motion profile in which the envelope is decelerated from a transport velocity to a slower printing velocity. After the printing operation has been completed, the envelope is accelerated back to the transport velocity and transferred to a downstream module, where the parallel print paths are merged back into a single print path. The print head is preferably geared to operate in synchronism with the print transport.

Abstract: Band rendering processing time in the case where the raster scanning direction of inputted output information and that of a print mechanism are different can be remarkably reduced, and rendering processing efficiency of each page is improved. To expect the further improvement of throughput, a display list to render objects into a band memory is formed on the basis of the inputted output information. A bit map image is rendered into the band memory in accordance with the display list. If it is determined that the raster scanning direction of the inputted output information and that of the print mechanism are different, a rotating process is executed to the bit map image rendered in a rendering step so as to be matched with the raster scanning direction of the print mechanism and the rotated data is transferred to the print mechanism.

Abstract: A document, including first and last images therein, is in storage. An image is optically scanned with a scanning mechanism. The optically scanned image is composed as a digital image. The document in storage is output such that the composed digital image is at a predetermined location between the first and the last images of the document.

Abstract: A printer of the present invention provided with a scanner mounted to a printer main body includes control means for suppressing the scanning speed of the carriage during a reading operation of a document image by a scanner. With this structure, the printer of the present invention can perform an image forming operation at maximum speed and the time required for forming an image can be reduced while suppressing a reading inferior resulting from the vibrations generated from the image forming means by suppressing such vibrations.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a plurality of print modes and a plurality of paper feeding means is constructed by means for designating the print mode, means for selecting the paper feeding means, and means for discriminating whether a print medium corresponding to the designated print mode coincides with a print medium corresponding to the selected paper feeding means or not.

Abstract: Each pixel receives a digital picture data having a multi-gradation data. A line composed of printing pixels having a thickness difference of multi-gradations is obtained on a recording paper by controlling whether or not there exist ink transcription by each gradation with a line head. A digital printer of printing a picture by recording a plurality of lines on a recording paper with scanning by the line head, comprising counting devices (5-1, 5-2) for counting a number of pixels to print at each gradation, dividing devices (9-1, 9-2, 12-1, 12-2, 13-1, 13-2) for dividing all pixels into several groups in accordance with the counting devices and deciding devices (10-1, 10-2, 11-1, 11-2) for deciding a number of groups. A range of grouping and as number of groups can be changed so as for a number of printing pixels in every group to be equal to a predetermined number of simultaneous turn-on pixels.

Abstract: A new method and system applying the method inspect printed documents that have regions of variable content, the regions having variable locations from document to document in a print job, to ensure that predetermined criteria are met. The locations of the regions of variable content are determined by monitoring a print datastream, and the locations are used to analyze images of the regions of variable content. The images are captured by an optical imaging system mounted in a printer, print media out equipment, a finishing system, or other appropriate location with a suitable view of the printed documents. If a document does not meet its specific predetermined criteria, for example, if an account number does not match the desired account number for that document, then the inspection system takes an error notification action ranging from simply logging the error in a log file to removing the document to stopping the printer.

Abstract: An ink jet printer enabling dual-way printing has a head that can create different types of dots having different diameters. The printer creates small dots in the course of the backward movement of the head, and medium dots in the course of the forward movement of the head. This arrangement effectively prevents the positional misalignment of each type of dots in the main scanning direction. The positional misalignment of the dots in the main scanning direction significantly affects the picture quality in the case of a vertical ruled line formed with only the large dots or in the case of a low tone are expressed with only the small dots.

Abstract: It is desirable to cover up or mask the stitch joint error. This invention provides systems and methods for indexing the position of a sheet of recording medium conventionally and then measuring the position of the sheet of recording medium accurately by a sensor. Data in the printhead is shifted so that the data is accurately aligned within a predetermined pixel accuracy to the known paper position. This invention covers up the resulting stitch joint error by modifying the pixels at the stitch joint interface to mask the apparent error.

Abstract: An apparatus for planning and controlling production sequences, in particular printing processes in a printing system. The apparatus includes a sequence control apparatus formed of at least one data input unit, a data output unit, a data processing system and a memory unit, which are connected so as to communicate with one another and with the printing system. The apparatus also includes at least one planning board, which has display elements for displaying individual or a number of printing processes. In addition, a method of planning and controlling the production sequences is described.

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: This invention relates to a device for controlling the activation of moving elements, such as for example an ink jet type print-head or a sensor of equipment for scanning text and/or images. The device, upon the measurement by means of, for example, the moving element to travel the step P, and the basis of selectively predefined numerical values associated through the control circuit with the time T(p), permits division of the step (p) into a number of n of elementary steps P/n uniformly distributed through the step P, including for high values of the number n. Accordingly by means of the device it is possible to obtain considerable uniform printing or scanning under all conditions and, in particular, when the resolution, which depends on the value of the number n, has to be at its maximum.