Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing an imaging system are provided. The method includes varying a system parameter of the imaging system. The method further includes obtaining a first data set at a first state of the varied system parameter and a second data set at a second state of the varied system parameter.

Abstract: An original holder of an image reading apparatus that reads and image of an original based on an amount of an electric charge generated by a photoelectric conversion element due to received light, when the original placed on a placement surface is illuminated by a light source, including an original holder body placed on the placement surface while holding the original so as to position the original on the replacement surface and a filter member with a predetermined transmittance that transmits light from the light source to be received by the photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving a print request from an information device, a transmitting unit for, upon receiving the print request, transmitting address information of a server and identification information of the printing apparatus to the information device, and a printing unit for carrying out printing based on print data received from the information device via the server.

Abstract: A method of identifying color mismatches for objects having different rendering intents within a print job prior to printing, includes identifying all objects within the print job, each object's type, rendering intent and all source colors associated with it; for each object in the print job, transforming each object's source colors using a prototypical color transformation; identifying sets of transformed objects having source colors that match within a first tolerance; transforming all transformed objects using a target printer's color space; identifying any of the transformed objects in each set that do not match within a second tolerance level; identifying any object types within the group of mismatched objects having at least two different rendering intents; selecting one of the rendering intents in accordance with a predetermined criterion; and assigning the selected rendering intent to at least one other instance of that object type.

Abstract: A reader and printer system is provided that is capable of reading data from a substrate, decoding the data and printing information derived from the data. The data is carried on the substrate as an array of dots. The substrate carries an image and the data is a digital representation of the image and so a digital copy of the image may be made from the data carried on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium online before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead, a sensor, a transmitter and a receiver, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method comprising the steps of: using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate; using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data: an identity of the print medium; and at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity; using the transmitter to send first data to a remote computer system, the first data being indicative of the identity and the at least part of the signature; using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system in reply to the first data, the second data being indicative of whether the print medium is authentic based on the identity and the at least part of the signature; and in the event the print medium i

Abstract: The photo laboratory management system manages a photo laboratory utilizing a digital photo print system and includes an order entry function of receiving an order from a customer by receiving order information that includes at least identification information of the customer, a type and a form of an original image from the customer, a type, a form, and a number of copies of an output image ordered by the customer, an order management function of managing the order information received from the customer and a workflow management function of managing a schedule according to which the order received from the customer is to be processed, and predicting a time required for finishing the output image ordered by the customer. Productivity in the digital photo print system can be improved and order automation is possible. The time required to process the order can be automatically estimated.

Abstract: Planar substrates are printed, cut, and folded to form three-dimensional cartons. Given graphics intended to appear on a carton surface or panel, printed graphics are laid-out and automatically positioned and manipulated using structural information associated with the cartons. Preferably a single computer-generated graphics file is created for use in printing the various panels and flaps. The graphics design can be overlaid on a computer image of the substrate, and graphic portions can be rotated, scaled, and aligned to properly fit printing areas on what will be panels and flaps (after cutting occurs). A computer generated three-dimensional image of the carton showing graphics printed on the panels and flaps can be manipulated by a graphics artist to confirm accuracy of the graphic file data before actual printing occurs.

Abstract: An ICC profile includes brief gloss information indicating glossy/matte attribute as attribute information, however, gloss matching cannot be performed with the 2 options. In a case where embedding of glossiness information into the ICC profile is designated, glossiness information is obtained from a color chart placed on an original plate of a color copier, and the obtained glossiness information is described in a private tag of the ICC profile.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for control of a device (1a, 1b, 1c). The method comprises visually presenting a number of user options for the device to be controlled (1a, 1b, 1c), aiming a pointing device (2) comprising a camera (3) at the visual presentation (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) of the user options to choose a desired option, generating an image (5) of a target area (6) aimed at by the pointing device (2) and comparing the target area image (5) with a pre-defined template of the visual presentation (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) to determine the chosen option.

Abstract: An information output system includes a user terminal that issues a print job containing print data, a management server that receives and stores the print job, and an information output unit that acquires print data from the management server and executes printout. The user terminal transmits a print job specifying a print reception user of a print data recipient. The management server includes a print job processing section that stores and manages the print job in association with a user identifier of the print reception user, and a user authentication section that receives the user image information and executes user authentication based on comparison processing between the received user image information and registered user image information stored in a user information database. Provided that the user is authenticated, the print job processing section acquires print job data with the authenticated user set as the print reception user and transmits the print job data.

Abstract: A mechanism in which whether or not a printing process can be executed in a user's desired format can be recognized by the user before a print output is executed from an application is provided. The application inquires of a printer driver about a restriction value of a printing apparatus in the case of executing the printing process by print setting designated by the user and obtains such a value. Whether or not the printing process can be executed is discriminated on the basis of the obtained print restriction value information and the number of pages of a print document. If it is determined that the printing process cannot be executed, a message showing that it is impossible to execute the printing process is displayed onto a displaying apparatus. If the printing process cannot be executed, the user is allowed to select available print settings.

Abstract: A method for encoding information on a printed page includes generating a set of color patches, each having a unique color. The set of color patches is printed. The printed color patches are scanned to identify color values for each patch in the set of patches. For each patch, the identified color values are associated with a datum value in a data structure. A page which includes a patch code is printed. The patch code includes selected ones of the set of color patches for conveying information about the printed page. The printed page is scanned to identify the color values for the color patches in the patch code. The data structure is accessed to identify the data values for the identified color values of the patches in the patch code. Information about the printed page is determined from the identified data values.

Abstract: A label of the present invention is characterized by a three-dimensional design image printed thereon on the basis of two-dimensional image data obtained by three-dimensionally correcting at least one data selected from two dimensional data (X, Y) and color data (R, G, B) to two-dimensionally convert height data (Z) among three-dimensional data (X, Y, Z) and the color data (R, G, B) obtained by actually measuring a surface of a three-dimensional model. Such a label can be provided with printed images giving three-dimensional impressions close to the three-dimensional model (real model).

Abstract: A document and image management system that can manage handwritten comments and/or edits on conventional paper. The invention may be embodied as an enhanced photocopier adapted to locate and classify handwritten notations using optical character recognition techniques. This embodiment allows the user to select options to selectively copy only those pages with notations, to create an index of handwritten notations, to add side margin locator marks to the document, and to compare subsequent comments on different drafts.

Abstract: Negotiation between first and second devices having a bi-directional communication link, so as to negotiate a low-cost image processing sequence that effects a transfer of image data from a first device to the second device. According to the negotiation, the devices determine whether functionality present in one device can be executed more efficiently in the other device, so as to increase image transfer efficiency and maintain good image quality. If functionality present in one device is more efficiently executed in the other device so as to achieve an overall increase in efficiency in the transfer of image data, then the functionality is transferred over the bi-directional communication link and the transfer of image data proceeds by incorporating the transferred functionality.

Abstract: A system for initiating an action in a processing system. The system comprises a printed page having an interactive element enabling user interaction with the page; an optically imaging sensing device for interacting with the interactive element and generating indicating data using sensed coded data; and a processing system configured for: receiving the indicating data, identifying a page description corresponding to the printed page; identifying the interactive element and initiating an action associated with the interactive element. The printed page comprises a plurality of coded data portion, each containing a code pattern encoding a unique location on the page and identifying a page identity.

Abstract: A camera module for a compact printer system. The camera module includes a CMOS image sensor that captures an RGB image when a take button is actuated. The RGB image is transformed to a suitable format, such as L*a*b*, for transfer directly to a printer module. The camera module incorporates a camera portion pivotally connected to a base portion, where by the camera portion is pivotal between a first position where it is aligned with on a common axis on the base portion and a second position where there is no alignment. The base portion has a connector that connects directly to a corresponding connector on the printer module, providing both a physical connection and a logical connection. The logical connection is a serial bus that communicates power and data.

Abstract: A digital still camera includes a mode selection key for setting a selected one of plural operation modes. A setup mode is included in the operation modes. An input key is incorporated in the digital still camera, for inputting at least one setup parameter while the setup mode is set. A printed manual document is associated with the digital still camera, and has plural document pages. Each of the document pages has mode information of the setup mode as explained information. An RFID tag is secured to the printed manual document, for storing the mode information. An RFID tag reader is incorporated in the digital still camera, for reading the mode information of the setup mode from the RFID tag, to set the setup mode forcibly irrespective of setting of the mode selection key.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with image scanner are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an image scanner comprises a first image-receiving end configured to move in a scanning direction and to receive image data of a first portion of the scanned object, a second image-receiving end disposed downstream of the first image-receiving end in the scanning direction and configured to move along the scanning direction and to receive image data of a second portion of the scanned object. The scanner can further comprise a first photoelectric conversion device configured to synchronously move with the first image-receiving end for converting the image data of the first portion of the scanned object to a first digital data, and a second photoelectric conversion device configured to synchronously move with the second image-receiving end for converting the image data of the second portion of the scanned object to a second digital data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for interpreting time stamp information from a digital camera. The method comprises: opening a first format interpreter; receiving image information from a digital camera in a first format selected from the group including joint photographic experts group (JPEG) and tagged image file format (TIFF) formats, with a corresponding time stamp information; displaying the images with corresponding time stamps for editing; selecting the “print time stamp” option; selecting a time stamp layout for a corresponding image; converting the image information and time stamp information to bitmap information; and, supplying the edited images with corresponding time stamps for printing. Some aspects of the method further comprise: selecting miscellaneous superposition overlays for corresponding images.

Abstract: The described subject matter provides a convenient way to organize and automate a presentation printing process by defining a presentation print job profile. To accomplish this, a user adds a plurality of files to a presentation profile. The user specifies packaging and printing characteristics with respect to individual ones of the files. Responsive to a single print request, each of the files in the presentation profile is printed based on the specified packaging and printing characteristics.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless sensors can be placed within a large system in various locations to monitor critical elements of that system. Each wireless sensor can include sensor elements usable to monitor one or more parameters of an element of the system and a wireless signal transmitter, such as, for example, a speaker or an antenna. Each sensor can transmit one or more unique identifying signals to a signal-receiving device, which can be processed by a signal processor. The signal processor can determine each received signal, the sensor corresponding to that identified signal, and the time the wireless signal was generated. Based on this information, the wireless signals can be diagnostically compared against expected values for the system being monitored and evaluated. If a discrepancy is detected, then the components and/or subsystems within the system that are implicated in the discrepant wireless signals can be evaluated for possible errors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for printing digital images wherein concurrent with selection of an image by a user, the image is rendered and placed on a storage location before a print order is completed, and printing the image upon selection of a print command. Multiple images may be rendered and placed on the storage location prior to the completion of the print order and printing of all or some of the images will not begin until the print command is given. In another embodiment of the present invention, the images may be placed in a separate cache memory and transferred to a printer buffer upon selection of the print command. A user may create an edited image after the image has been initially selected, rendered, and placed on the storage location. The edited image may then replace the original image on the storage location until the print command is given.

Abstract: A print job is received in a complex printing environment. The print job is decomposed optimal batch sizes by into method and system processing a print job by identifying a total processing time T(b) for each of multiple batch sizes, and the total processing time for each of the batch sizes are compared to determine which of the batch sizes is optimal for the printing environment.

Abstract: A standalone printing device includes an image customization engine, an input device coupled to the image customization engine, and a display coupled to the image customization engine, wherein the image customization engine is operable to receive an image, to receive instructions through the input device to customize the image with a plurality of image customization resources, and to display the customized image on the display.

Abstract: A print system capable of printing more quickly, printing and observing images more in the order of completion of transfer of the image data, and also reducing the generation of waste of recording sheets even in a case that printing of the image is canceled in the middle of the image printing, compared with the conventional method. In the system including at least two image data outputting apparatuses and one printer for printing images based on the image data transferred from the at least two image data outputting apparatuses, when the image data is transferred from each image data outputting apparatuses, the printing preparation of the recording sheet is started at a timing so that it is completed upon completion of the image data transfer, based on the time required for transfer of the image data and printing preparation time required for the printing preparation of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light to have luminosity depending on the magnitude of a driving signal; a plurality of holding units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and respectively hold the driving signal to maintain a magnitude regulated such that the luminosity of the plurality of light emitting elements becomes uniform; and a plurality of supply units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and supply the driving signal, which is held by the holding units to have a certain magnitude for a period of time according to a gradation of light to be emitted, to a corresponding light emitting element.

Abstract: A digital copying machine as an example of the image processing apparatus is provided with a scanner unit and a printer unit is arranged such that a display state of a printer-side display panel of a printer-side user interface section changes its display state in response to a command entered by a scanner-side user interface. As a result, an image processing apparatus provided with a plurality of user interface sections of desirable operability can be realized.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for efficiently printing impositioned documents with using a wide spectrum of resources and document elements is disclosed. A print optimizer and an imposition engine operate cooperatively to generate and managed skeletonized document versions to efficiently effect changes to the impositioned document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a data item. The method comprises receiving at a printer a first component of said data item from an external data source; generating a second component of said data item at said printer; and printing said data item by printing said first and second components.

Abstract: A color image communication device includes a transmission unit which carries out a facsimile transmission of image data of a sYCC-Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) color space, and a control unit which controls a facsimile transmission of the image data of the sYCC-JPEG color space without setting size information in a facsimile communication protocol when the image data to be transmitted by facsimile is the image data of the sYCC-JPEG color space.

Abstract: A system including a sensing device and a printer is disclosed. The sensing device and the printer are in communication with each other. The sensing device is for sensing first coded data included in a first interface disposed on a first surface. The printer is configured to receive, from the sensing device, data representative of the sensed first coded data, to send data based on the received data to a computer system, to receive response data from the computer system, the response data being derived by the computer system from the data sent to the computer system and identifying a unique identity of a second interface, to generate the second interface based at least partially on the response data, the second interface comprising second coded data encoding the unique identity of the second interface, and to print the second interface onto a second surface.

Abstract: An image transmission apparatus capable of carrying out efficient image processing and transmission as a whole even where multiple image transmission requests exist, without increasing the complexity of the apparatus construction. The image transmission apparatus is provided with multiple task processors that are respectively responsible for executing one or more of the image processing operations, a designating unit that designates the image processing operation(s) to be performed, a controller that, where multiple recipients are specified with regard to the image data and different image processing operations are specified for the different recipients, controls each task processor such that the nth operation is executed in common for the recipients for which all operations up to the nth operation are identical, and a transmission unit that transmits to the specified recipients image data that has undergone all of the image processing operations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body storage part, a determination part, and an initial adjustment part. The first image forming unit includes a first storage part storing first information indicative of whether or not an initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has been completed. The determination part determines whether or not the first information stored in the first storage part and the second information stored in the main body storage part satisfy respective prescribed conditions. The initial adjustment part causes the first and second image forming units to perform the initial adjustment when the first information indicates that the initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has not been completed and the second information indicates that the second image forming unit corresponds to an unused state.

Abstract: An image output apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives first information from a first radio contact element that performs a close-range radio contact; an image processing unit that forms image data of an image to be output from the first information; and an image output unit that outputs the image to an output medium from the image data.

Abstract: Techniques for printing stored or recorded information that may include information of one or more types and may be stored in one or more multimedia documents. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that facilitates printing of information stored by the one or more multimedia documents or portions of the information stored by the one or more multimedia documents.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided with a guide member having a light-blocking portion with its upper surface positioned above an extended surface of a reading surface of an optical reader. The device is also provided with a slant surface between the reading surface of the optical reader and the light-blocking portion. The device is further provided with upper guide surfaces facing the light-blocking portion and the slant surface respectively, at a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to print an e-mail according to printing environment settings corresponding to each user includes receiving a user profile stored in the outside, setting an e-mail printing environment by using the received user profile, and printing an e-mail received from an e-mail server according to the set e-mail printing environment. By doing so, users can print an e-mail according to a printing environment desired by a user in an image forming apparatus such as a Multi Function Printer (MFP), a printer, or the like which supports printing of an e-mail.

Abstract: A printing system for printing both secure value documents and non-secure documents while ensuring that fraudulent copies of secure value documents printed by the printing system can be detected is provided. The printing system determines if the source is a secure or non-secure source. If the source of the image is a secure source, it will print the image, including any graphic security features. If the source is a non-secure source, before printing the image a filter is applied to the image data to remove any graphic security features included in the received image and/or the printing system will not add any graphic security features to the received image to ensure that the printed image will not contain any copy detection graphic security features.

Abstract: A printer and a digital camera are connected so as to be capable of communicating with each other. The printer transmits information indicative of its capabilities to the digital camera and the digital camera incorporates the transmitted printer capability information in a print settings menu. The capability information has information relating to the printer capabilities and information indicative of a default setting. The capabilities of the printer are incorporated in the print settings menu together with the default setting. A desired printing condition can be set selectively at the digital camera using the print settings menu in which the capability information has been incorporated.

Abstract: In a method and system for storage and retrieval of print data, print data of a print job are transferred in blocks from a data source to at least two of a plurality of print servers connected with one another via a network. Control data regarding respective print data are transmitted to the print servers and are registered and stored in the network. Control data are registered by a central control module of the network and further processing of the print job is allocated by the central control module to an allocated print server so that the allocated print server receives the control data. Using the control data, the respectively allocated print server reads the print data in blocks from the respectively associated print server, processes and/or buffers them as needed, and forwards them to a processing device.

Abstract: A method for completing a document job that includes delivering at least one print job to a printing device, bringing a tag containing information regarding the document job into close proximity to the printing device so that the device receives the information from the tag, and using the information received from the tag to complete the print job. The method also applies to document jobs sent to facsimile and multifunction devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is used for gamut mapping to a printer gamut that includes receiving a narrow gamut, a wide gamut, a printer gamut for printing on a printer and a predetermined mapping between the narrow and printer gamuts, identifying overlapping areas in the wide gamut, the narrow and printer gamuts, determining when the narrow gamut overlaps areas of the wide gamut, utilizing the narrow gamut values when the determination provides overlapping areas of the narrow gamut and the wide gamuts, selecting a wide gamut interpolation point corresponding to the surface of the printer gamut when narrow gamut areas do not overlap the wide gamut according to the determination, selecting a narrow gamut interpolation point by mapping the narrow gamut to the printer gamut and interpolating the narrow gamut interpolation point and the wide gamut interpolation point expanding the narrow gamut values into the printer gamut.

Abstract: Digital front end (DFE) raster image processing (RIP) performance is enhanced by automatically releasing and raster image processing held jobs, saving the print ready pages produced for later output. In this way, when an operator moves one of the held jobs to an active state, the job immediately starts printing, as there is no raster image processing required. A method for deciding when to release another held job is based on whether the digital front end or printer are idle or busy and may be suspended when disk space or other resources are unavailable or an interrupt is received. Advantages include improvement in the digital front end raster image processing rate and utilization of idle system resources to build a backlog of jobs or pages for output, without effecting normal digital front end print operations.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method capable of improving the throughput, reducing the apparatus cost, and executing marginless copy with a natural impression. According to this invention, a multi-function printer executes marginless copy in the following. Marginless copy and a printing paper size are instructed. The position and size of an original placed on the original table of the scanner are detected. A reading area on the original table is decided on the basis of the instruction, detection result, and a predefined extra-printing size. Control is done to execute image reading while limiting the operation range of the sensor of the scanner so that the image original is read from the decided reading area.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method, which prevent printing mishaps from occurring in printed matter when a user performs a printing process by using a machine plate without knowing a compressed image is included on a page layout. In the print server, when a compressed image on a page layout is detected, a warning is generated to request selection of the next process. For this reason, when interruption of printing is designated, the printing process is interrupted. Drawing using a warning color or application of an outline is designated, and a drawing setting is performed according to the designation. An output of a warning page is designated, and a setting is performed such that a print output is obtained by either extracting a compressed image or by deleting a compressed image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a service provider connected to a database for storing a plurality of images having associated unique identifiers. The service provider comprising a first interface for enabling a user to select at least one of the plurality of images to be displayed on a transaction card. The service provider also comprising a second interface for enabling a card issuer to upload a stock image to the database and for assigning a unique stock identifier to said stock image.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a computer system platform the ability to intervene in the content workflow and perform additional color management based upon the content state and any color management policies in place is provided. Profile data from a source is converted to an intermediate color space upon entry into the platform at a choke point. In response to the current color content, profile data, and/or policy controls of the platform, color management input can be managed to change color management data immediately, change color management data at a later point, and/or ignore color management data.

Abstract: The color tone compensation method provides a simple and efficient method to compensate the color tone differences between two different sources of images. A first image sample, such as a still image, from a first image capturing source and a second image sample, such as a video frame, from a second image capturing source are aligned, and a tone-mapping estimation routine is applied to the two aligned images. The tone-mapping estimation routine uses the pixel intensity value histograms associated with the two aligned images and generates a tone mapping table. The tone mapping table includes a conversion intensity value for each intensity value in the second image. The conversion intensity value is a statistical measure, such as the mean, calculated according to the data in the corresponding pixel intensity value histogram.