Abstract: A movement detection apparatus acquires a displacement direction and an amount of displacement of a template region in the first image data that is displaced in the second image data in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a movement of an object. Based on the acquired displacement direction and the amount of displacement, a position at which the template pattern is clipped in the direction is set.

Abstract: A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent printing. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a printing head integrated at a distal end portion of the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be printed onto a printable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a distal end of the hand-held device across (or onto) the printable medium.

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: A dot position measurement method includes: a line pattern forming step of forming a measurement line pattern including a plurality of lines of rows of dots corresponding to a plurality of recording elements arranged in a first direction of a recording head respectively, on a recording medium, while causing relative movement between the recording head and the recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the measurement line pattern including a plurality of line blocks each including a group of the lines recorded by the recording elements spaced at a prescribed interval in the first direction, and a plurality of common line blocks each including the lines recorded by the recording elements which are same as the recording elements recording the lines included in the plurality of line blocks respectively; a reading step of reading an image of the measurement line pattern formed on the recording medium in the line pattern forming step, by an image reading apparatus; a line position

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer including, an image carrier configured to hold an a first color image and a second color image in a state in which the images overlap each other and configured to move the overlapping the first color image and the second color image to a sheet in a transfer position, and a controller configured to change speed of forming the first color image and the second color image from a first speed to a second speed higher than the first speed when the thickness of the sheet exceeds a threshold, the first speed including speed obtained by correcting fluctuation in the speed due to the thickness of the sheet with respect to the second speed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a reading unit; a counting unit; a cumulative value calculation unit; a cumulative value storing unit; and a print range determination unit, wherein the cumulative value calculation unit sets a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the cumulative value, as the cumulative value, in the case where the number of pixels having a luminance equal to or smaller than a predetermined luminance value is not counted by the counting unit.

Abstract: The printer includes a print head having nozzles that are arranged in a plurality of lines and that form dots by discharging ink onto a medium used for printing. The printer prints out an image on the medium by one scanning operation using the print head. The printer includes a printing image data acquisition device, an N-level processing device, a dot forming information generating device, a print position information modification device, and a printing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an upper portion that is openable/closeable relative to a main body of the imaging apparatus and an operation panel provided on the upper portion. The receiving unit is configured to receive an operational instruction input by a user through an operation panel. A sensor detects an open/close state of the upper portion. A controller is configured to control operation of the image forming apparatus, wherein in response to receiving an open state signal, the controller at least one of invalidates an operational instruction received by the operation unit within a predetermined period prior to receiving the open state signal and terminates an operation being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms images on sheets by using input image data, the apparatus including: a detection unit that detects a blank area outside of an image forming area formed on a sheet; a setting unit that, when a sum of a length in a conveyance direction of a blank area on a trailing edge side in the conveyance direction of a sheet and a length in the conveyance direction of a blank area on a leading edge side in the conveyance direction of a sheet conveyed following the sheet is a reference value or less, sets a sheet conveyance interval to the reference value, and when the sum is greater than the reference value, sets the conveyance interval to be less than the reference value; and a conveying unit that conveys the sheets at the conveyance interval set by the setting unit.

Abstract: There is provided a velocity calculation device, including: a computation section that, using as a reference period at each of plural predetermined points in time a individual period detected most recently by a detection section for one or other of plural generating sections, computes for each of the reference periods an average value of the reference period and one or more individual periods for other generating sections of the plural generating sections, detected separately prior to detecting the respective reference period for pulse signals nearest to the reference period; and an calculation section that calculates a velocity related to rotation of the rotation body based on the plural average values computed by the computation section, the number of individual generating sections, and a predetermined rotation angle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first determination section which determines at least one of a position and a density of a mark; a correction section which corrects at least one of an image forming position and an image formation density of a formation section; a second determination section which determines whether a related element which affects the determination result by the first determination section satisfies a set condition; and a control section which controls the formation section to form a mark based on a mark element including at least one of: a width in the moving direction of the object; a width in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction; a density; a distance with an adjacent mark in a pattern; and a number of marks in the pattern, which is increased when the second determination section determine that the related element satisfies the set condition.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly, a drive roller for feeding media along a media path and a vacuum platen assembly configured for movement relative to the fixed printhead assembly. The media path is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a drive roller configured to engage and push media into a print zone and a movable media engagement assembly configured to engage one side of the media and pull the media while the drive roller remains engaged with the media wherein the print zone is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a print zone where droplets of ink print onto media, a drive roller configured to translate the media into the print zone and a movable media engagement assembly for vacuum engagement of one side of the media to draw the media away from the print zone wherein, the print zone is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: There is provided a method of printing a regular array of rows of subpixels on a workpiece. The subpixels have c different colors and have a subpixel pitch s. A printing head has z nozzles arranged in a row with a spacing p, where z=n1(c) and p=n2(s), the printhead being at a first position relative to the workpiece. There are c different printing inks, one for each of the c colors, and each of the printing inks is supplied to the nozzles in a regular alternating pattern. The method includes steps of printing a first set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; moving the workpiece laterally relative to the printing head by a distance d1, where d1=n3(s); printing a second set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; repeating the printing steps for a total of n2 sets of z rows of subpixels. Variables include: c, an integer greater than 1; n1, n2, and n3 which are the same or different and are independently selected from integers greater than 0, with the proviso that n2 is not a multiple of c.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly, a vacuum platen assembly opposite the printhead assembly, a media path between the printhead assembly and the vacuum platen, a drive roller for moving media along the media path, a vacuum belt assembly to move the media away from the vacuum platen assembly and a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt to capture information from the media for feedback control of the printhead assembly. The media path is more than 432 mm (17 inches wide).

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a printing system comprises a media feeder that receives and stores asymmetrically thick media from an outside source and outputs such media to the printing system via a feed mechanism. A conveyer system transports the asymmetrically thick media from the media feeder utilizing at least one linear belt wherein a sensor is employed to determine the presence of the asymmetrically thick piece of stock. A controller coupled to the conveyer determines the location and orientation of an image on a piece of the asymmetrically thick stock. An imaging system receives the asymmetrically thick media from the conveyer system and places an image on the media in the proper location and orientation based at least in part on information from the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing graphical information on a surface. The apparatus comprises: a printhead for printing the graphical information; an image sensor for recording an image of the surface, wherein the recorded image contains a position-coding pattern that identifies an absolute position on the surface; and a processor for converting the recorded image into a recorded absolute position. The printhead prints the graphical information onto the surface based on a comparison of the recorded absolute position and the graphical information to be printed.

Abstract: To provide a technology enabling a terminal device to use various functions provided in a data processing device without the use of a device driver. A multifunction device executes a process for implementing a function indicated by instruction data when such instruction data is stored in a shared area of the RAM. Here, the shared area of the RAM in which the instruction data is stored can be recognized by a personal computer connected to the multifunction device as a storage area that can be accessed through the file system, which is a function provided as a standard feature of the operating system. Accordingly, operations of the multifunction device can be controlled from the personal computer end simply by storing instruction data in the shared area via the operating system, eliminating the need for a special device driver to control the operations of the multifunction device.

Abstract: Parameters of image processing to be executed on image data to be formed on a sheet are set. When conveying a plurality of sheets on each of which an image is to be formed, the plurality of sheets are conveyed at a first interval or a second interval shorter than the first interval, and an image based on the image data processed based on the set parameters by an image processing unit is formed on each conveyed sheet. Control is performed such that the parameters are set when forming an image by conveying the plurality of sheets at the first interval, and a part of the parameters is set when forming an image by conveying the plurality of sheets at the second interval.

Abstract: A control method for controlling a printing system that includes selectively executing an inline job and an offline job, where the inline job is for executing post-processing on a sheet printed by a printing apparatus by using a post-processing apparatus and the offline job is for executing post-processing on a sheet without executing printing by the printing apparatus by using the post-processing apparatus. The method includes detecting that a sheet has been set in a paper feed unit, setting whether to execute an offline job that uses the sheet if the sheet is detected as being set in the paper feed unit, and controlling the post-processing apparatus to automatically start post-processing corresponding to the offline job in a case where both the system is set to execute the offline job and the system detects that the sheet has been set in the paper feed unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for forming an image on a recording material; an image reading portion, for reading an original image, movable between a first position in which the image reading portion opposes the image forming portion and a second position in which the image reading portion is partly raised from the image forming portion; an openable member movable, relative to the image forming portion independently of the image reading portion, between an open position in which the openable member exposes an inside of the image forming portion and a closed position in which the openable member covers the image forming member; and preventing means capable of preventing movement of the openable member toward the closed position when the image reading member is located at the second position.

Abstract: A control method for controlling a printing system includes selectively executing an inline job and an offline job. The inline job is for executing post-processing on a sheet printed by a printing apparatus by using a post-processing apparatus and the offline job is for executing post-processing on a sheet without executing printing by the printing apparatus by using the post-processing apparatus. The control method also includes restricting execution of the inline job if a sheet has been set in a paper feed unit that is a paper feed source of the offline job to be executed.

Abstract: An allocation device includes: an allocation candidate information acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of allocation candidate positions and the number of the allocation candidate positions in the case where print target images are allocated on a printing medium; a printing number acquisition unit that acquires the number of the print target images to be printed, the number being smaller than the number of the allocation candidate positions; and an allocation unit that allocates the print target images to the plurality of allocation candidate positions so that a highest cutting efficiency is obtained in the case where the printing medium, on which the print target images to be printed have been allocated and printed to the plurality of allocation candidate positions, is cut into segments for the individual print target images.

Abstract: A position control unit performs control so that the position of a controlled object is detected, and as a result of the detection, a drive unit is reverse-directed if the controlled object is situated beyond an ultimate target position, and the operation of the drive unit is stopped if the controlled object is situated beyond an acceptable ultimate target range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes (A) an image forming section, (B) a document reading section, and (C) a controller. The image forming section is for forming an image. The document reading section is capable of reading a document concurrently with an operation of the image forming section. The document reading section reads the document by successively shifting a reading position. The controller lowers a speed for shifting the reading position in the document reading section when the image forming section carries out a predetermined operation.

Abstract: A method for printing of raster data in a media processing device is disclosed. The method includes identifying an attribute of a set of raster lines of the raster data. The method further includes determining at least one print mode from a plurality of print modes based on the attribute. Each print mode of the plurality of print modes is configured to print the set of raster lines of the raster data. Furthermore, the method includes printing the set of raster lines of the raster data in the at least one print mode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering the operation of printers and scanners to reduce vibration and/or acoustics. The technology involves altering the mode of operation of the printer or scanner to be in either “quick”, “quiet” or an intermediate mode. Additionally, means for achieving the different modes of operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines wherein the receiving sheet is inverted between a first and a second print engine including determining any change in the speed of the master print engine relative to the speed at original set up and adjusting the timing parameters within the slave print engines based on the speed of the master engine.

Abstract: A hybrid document automation system manages a hybrid printing job, such as PostScript (PS) job with a mix of color and monochrome (B/W) sheets containing variable data. The print job may contain any number of sets, each differing in size and ratio of color and B/W sheets. The system includes a color printer, a monochrome printer, a print manager, a splitter for separating color pages from monochrome pages in the print job and automatic jam recovery. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided to give a user/operator information on the status of the print job. The system may also include a document integrity system for insuring the correct output of the merged color and monochrome pages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing machine comprising: encoders (311 and 312) configured to detect respective angular velocities of a drive roller and a driven roller as a travel speed of core members inside a transfer belt (160); a DSP (321) configured to extract from a temporal variation in a ratio of the measured speed at each roller speed ratio data (profile data) having a frequency corresponding to the speed ratio of a core portion; profile data memory (332) configured to store the profile data; and a head controller (334) configured to control the timing at which each image is formed by a head unit (110) on the basis of the profile data so that positional deviation among multiple images on the transfer belt (160) may be reduced. The head unit (110) forms multiple images on a record medium under the control of the head controller (334).

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image writing apparatus includes an image writing unit, a moving unit, a positioning unit. The image writing unit faces an image carrier or a support member supporting a recording medium and writes an image on the image carrier or the recording medium. The moving unit moves the image writing unit between a first position and a second position apart from the first position. A positioning unit sets the image writing unit in the first position and includes a first restriction member, a second restriction member, a third restriction member, and a restriction releasing portion. The first restriction member restricts a first movement of the image writing unit along a first direction from the image carrier to the image writing unit or from the support member to the image writing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image forming section to form an image on a single side or both sides of a paper sheet based on job information of a job; and a control section to combine a registration image for judging misregistration of front and back images with each of front and back sample images of the job to allow the image forming section to form front and back combined images on the front and the back of the paper sheet, respectively, on which the front and back sample images are to be formed, respectively, when the image forming section forms the sample images at a preset sample print timing.

Abstract: An image printing/reading apparatus in which a reference white board for prescanning can be prevented from being soiled with ink, and the influence of stray light from a paper discharge port can be reduced. A commonality of a print sheet path for conveyance of print sheet and a document path for conveyance of document is at least partially realized as a common path. A reading unit is provided with a reference white board for shading correction used upon execution of prescanning. Upon execution of document reading, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a document reading position. On the other hand, upon execution of prescanning, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a retreat position where the influence of ambient light is reduced. Further, upon printing, the reading unit and the reference white board are also moved to the retreat position for preventing the reference white board from being soiled with ink.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a storing unit and a creating unit. The storing unit stores a dither matrix. The dither matrix has a plurality of dot regions and has a threshold value at each of the dot regions. The plurality of dot regions are divided into a plurality of sub-matrices. The creating unit is configured to create binary image data by comparing an input value to the threshold value. The plurality of sub-matrices includes a first sub-matrix and a second sub-matrix. The first sub-matrix has a first threshold value smallest among threshold values in the first sub-matrix. The second sub-matrix has a plurality of threshold values that are smaller than the first threshold value and are arranged adjacent to each other. Each of all remaining sub-matrices has at least one threshold value smaller than the first threshold value. The plurality of sub-matrices include a third sub-matrix and a fourth sub-matrix.

Abstract: A print apparatus is supplied capable of preventing print density unevenness. In the print apparatus that prints by moving a print head with respect to an ink ribbon that is rotated and transported in a predetermined direction, a controller analyzes print data, and performs one direction print by moving the print head in a reverse direction opposite to the predetermined direction on the basis of the analysis result.

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: The dot position measurement method includes: a line pattern forming step of forming a measurement line pattern including a plurality of lines formed by dot sequences corresponding to respective recording elements on a recording medium, by continuously recording dots by the recording elements while causing a recording head having the recording elements and the recording medium to move relatively to each other in a relative movement direction, the measurement line pattern including a plurality of line blocks each constituted of a group of lines to be recorded using the recording elements spaced a prescribed interval apart in an effective direction of alignment of the recording elements which is perpendicular to the relative movement direction, the line blocks being formed at mutually different positions in a lengthwise direction of the lines on the recording medium; a reading step of reading the measurement line pattern formed on the recording medium in the line pattern forming step by an image reading device,

Abstract: An encoder signal processor which processes a pulsed encoder signal output from an encoder in accordance with a travel distance of an object to be detected, including: an increasing and decreasing wave generating unit that generates an increasing and decreasing wave based on the encoder signal output from the encoder; an intermediate pulse signal generating unit that generates a binarized intermediate pulse signal based on the increasing and decreasing wave; and a multiplied pulse signal generating unit that generates a multiplied pulse signal, which is a signal obtained by multiplying the encoder signal by 2, by performing exclusive-OR operation between the encoder signal output from the encoder and the intermediate pulse signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering the operation of printers and scanners to reduce vibration and/or acoustics. The technology involves altering the mode of operation of the printer or scanner to be in either “quick”, “quiet” or an intermediate mode. Additionally, structure for achieving the different modes of operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for determining enhanced printing functions on a hand-held inkjet printer having one or more optical sensors configured to measure speed and distance across the page. Collecting a first frame of individual pixel data, mapping the first frame of individual pixel data into a pixel map memory, processing the first frame of individual pixel data to perform additional print quality features. These additional features can be categorized in three main categories: 1) sensing non-printing elements, 2) sensing pre-printed elements, and 3) sensing print elements.

Abstract: Signals from a color (multi-row) full width array sensor are used to detect and correct for motion quality issues in a constant velocity transport or platen document scanner. This capitalizes on the geometry of the full width array sensor, in which three or four rows of photo sites are arranged in the slow scan direction. For example, the arrival time of an image edge of the red sensor row may be compared to the slightly later arrival time at the blue sensor row, and the difference yields the velocity. The velocity can then be fed back to control the transport.

Abstract: A system for adjusting measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an optical sensor having a window marked with two fiducials and at least one processor coupled to the optical sensor.

Abstract: An image processing system is provided that includes a first-motor control apparatus (40), having a communication interface (42) connected in series with a transmission line, for obtaining a detection position of a control subject and outputting a position-detection signal, an image processing apparatus (30), having a communication interface (32) connected in series with the transmission line and a memory (34) that stores the position-detection signal, for capturing an image of a workpiece (60) and generating an image-processing signal based on image processing, and a master apparatus (10) for implementing communication control of the image processing apparatus (30) and the first-motor control apparatus (40), and in which the image processing apparatus (10) starts the image processing, in accordance with an in-bound start command, stores in the memory (32) the position-detection signal, and outputs to the master apparatus (10) the position-detection signal along with the image-processing signal.

Abstract: A method of performing a search is disclosed. A search request form including information relating to a search request and coded data portions is printed. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the search request form and of a position of that coded data portion on the search request form. Indicating data is received from a sensing device which is responsive to movement of the sensing device relative to the search request form to sense at least some of the coded data portions and generate the indicating data. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the search request form, and movement of the sensing device. Using the indicating data, movement of the sensing device is determined and using the determined movement, a search request is determined. A search is then performed using the determined search request and results of the search are printed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated by an operator to print an image on a media. A controller correlates a location of a printhead to the image and causes printing or not. A position sensor provides input to the controller. Its signal typifies pixels in a matrix frame indicating a current position frame and, over time, a previous position frame. The controller compares the two frames to find a presence of the previous in the current. To improve computational efficiency, the controller reduces a relative size of both frames before comparing. Specific reduction techniques contemplate converting a matrix frame of pixels indicative of previous and current locations into smaller matrices, including one-dimensional forms. Possible search areas within the current frame to look for the previous frame utilize knowledge about the movement history of the printer. Position sensor signal validity and controller architectures are other noteworthy features.

Abstract: Remote output environment remarkably improving convenience in remote output mode is provided so that print process according to original direction information detected by transmitter image forming apparatus can be performed by receiver image forming apparatus. Therefor, image processing system including first device having input unit of inputting image data and communication unit of performing data communication, and second device having communication unit of performing data communication and output unit of outputting image data sets the remote output mode for performing through the communication unit the data communication of the image data input by the first device and causing the second device to output the communicated data, causes the first device to acquire the direction information input by the first device, and causes in this mode the second device to output the image data from the first device in output manner based on the acquired information.

Abstract: There are provided an information processing method and apparatus, which can composite an image at a link destination into document data upon printing document data that describes address information as a link to an image file, can obviate the need for additional access by the user, and can improve user's convenience. This information processing apparatus prints document data that describes address information of an image on a server which can be accessed via the Internet. An operation unit (107) issues a print instruction of an image, and makes its setups. Address information is detected from document data, and that image is accessed via the Internet. It is checked if the accessed image can be embedded in the document data. If the accessed image can be embedded, that image is downloaded. The downloaded image is embedded at a predetermined position in the document upon printing the document data.

Abstract: Methods (700), apparatuses, systems (500) and computer program products for measuring spatial characteristics of an inkjet printer (200, 300) are disclosed. Group of marks (810/815) of a first predetermined pattern are printed (720) on a print medium (230) using a first group of nozzles (420). Groups of marks (820/825) of a second predetermined pattern are printed (720) using a second group of nozzles (420). A region of overlap of the printed groups of marks is formed. At least a portion of the print medium (230) having printed groups of marks is imaged. From the region of overlap, first and second groups of marks from the first and second printed patterns are selected (740). For each group of marks, a position representative of that group is determined An offset for measuring spatial characteristics of the printer (200, 300) between the first and second printed patterns is determined (750) dependent upon the representative position of each of the first and second group of marks.

Abstract: The amount of expansion or contraction of a sheet is derived from the sheet size before printing and the sheet size after the printing to adjust the position on the sheet where post-processing is performed based on the derived amount of expansion or contraction. Even if the sheet size is varied from a normal sheet size before the printing due to an image forming process in an MFP or the sheet that is left, it is possible to adjust the position in accordance with the variation in the sheet size.