Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is capable of reducing situations in which a job cannot be executed because resources are being in use for another job. The image processing apparatus has a soft codec unit that carries out an encoding process on image data, and a hard codec unit that carries out an encoding process on the image data at high speed compared with the soft codec unit. When a second job received while the hard codec unit is in use for a first job for which use of the soft codec unit is allowed requires use of the hard codec unit, control is provided to switch a codec unit for use in the first job from the hard codec unit to the soft codec unit.

Abstract: Users with limited data plans for a network connection can have usage of that network connection by various applications monitored such that the user can determine how much bandwidth each application uses based on activity of that user. Upon viewing application-specific usage information and/or determining how much each application can contribute to overage charges, the user can determine how to adjust behavior to meet personal usage targets. In at least some embodiments, a user can specify limits for specific applications, after which the traffic for that application can be blocked or at least require approval from the user. Such limits also can guarantee enough bandwidth for specific applications when the user otherwise would reach or exceed the maximum amount of bandwidth under the data plan.

Abstract: A document image processing system includes an extraction portion, an estimation portion, a calculation portion, a substitution portion, and a generation portion. The extraction portion extracts first and second document elements of an inputted document image and a preprint data. The estimation portion estimates first and second representative colors due to first and second document elements in a color space, respectively. The calculation portion calculates first and second planes to separate the color space into first and second sub-spaces which each includes each of the first and second representative colors, respectively. The substitution portion substitutes a color of a first pixel of the first document elements with the first representative color and a color of a second pixel of the second document elements with the second representative color. The generation portion subtracts each of the substituted first pixel from each of the substituted second pixel to generate a difference image.

Abstract: A communication apparatus which is capable of selectively using codecs appropriately. The communication apparatus is provided with a software codec configured to encode and decode images and a hardware codec configured to encode and decode images at higher speed than the software codec. In facsimile communication with an IP-FAX machine connected to an IP network, the communication apparatus causes the hardware codec to encode or decode an image. In facsimile communication with an analog facsimile machine connected to an analog network, the communication apparatus causes the software codec to encode or decode the image.

Abstract: A data transfer apparatus includes a transmitting unit, a transmission controlling unit, and a generating unit. The transmitting unit transmits transmit data over a transmission channel having a plurality of lines, such that the transmit data are assigned to the plurality of lines by information unit of the transmit data, the information unit. The transmission controlling unit appends control data to transfer data to be transferred to a receiving side to compose the transmit data, the control data being for controlling transmission and reception of the transfer data. The generating unit obtains information about the number of the lines. The generating unit determines, based on the number of the lines and the number of information units of the control data, the number of information units of the transfer data that makes the number of information units of the transmit data integral multiple of the number of the lines.

Abstract: A printing system includes a portable communication device, a printing device and plural transmission channels. The printing device is used for receiving a to-be-printed data from the portable communication device, thereby performing a printing task. The plural transmission channels are selectively in communication with the portable communication device and the printing device for transferring the to-be-printed data to the printing device. The portable communication device includes a controlling unit for judging and setting priority values of the transmission channels and selecting one of the transmission channels as a priority transmission channel according to the priority values of the transmission channels, so that the to-be-printed data is transmitted from the portable communication device to the printing device through the priority transmission channel.

Abstract: Methods for checking available bandwidth using forward error correction are provided, the methods comprising: identifying data to be transmitted; determining an amount of forward error correction data to be sent to a receiver; creating the forward error correction data based on corresponding data in the data to be transmitted; transmitting to the receiver the forward error correction data and the corresponding data in the data to be transmitted; determining an error level in at least one of the corresponding data and the forward error correction data; and when the error level is below a value, increasing the amount of bandwidth used in a transmission to the receiver of other data in the data to be transmitted over the amount of bandwidth used in the transmission to the receiver of the corresponding data and decreasing the amount of bandwidth used for forward error correction data in the transmission of the other data.

Abstract: A transmission device including a detection unit, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The detection unit detects whether there are plural consecutive transmission elements in which absolute values of differences between lengths of the transmission elements are equal to or less than a pre-specified value. If intermission periods are not provided in the detected transmission elements, the processing unit performs processing that inserts at least one of an irregular signal and an intermission period into at least one of the transmission elements. If intermission periods are provided in the detected transmission elements, the processing unit performs at least one of processing that changes a length of the intermission period provided in at least one of the detected transmission elements and processing that inserts an irregular signal into at least one transmission element. The transmission unit transmits the processed transmission elements in an order of a transmission element group.

Abstract: A method for automated startup and/or for automated operation of controllers of an electrical drive system with vibrational mechanics with the following steps: (a) determining a preliminary value of at least one parameter; (b) determining a model of the electrical drive system by determination of initially a non-parameterized model through the recording of frequency data during operation of the drive system subject to the utilization of the preliminary value of at least one parameter and the subsequent determination of parameters of the electrical drive system based on the frequency data and subject to optimization of at least one preliminary value of at least one parameter by a numerical optimization method on the basis of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and (c) parameterizing at least one controller of the electrical drive system by at least one of the determined parameters.

Abstract: A communication apparatus which is capable of selectively using codecs appropriately. The communication apparatus is provided with a software codec configured to encode and decode images and a hardware codec configured to encode and decode images at higher speed than the software codec. In facsimile communication with an IP-FAX machine connected to an IP network, the communication apparatus causes the hardware codec to encode or decode an image. In facsimile communication with an analog facsimile machine connected to an analog network, the communication apparatus causes the software codec to encode or decode the image.

Abstract: An approach is provided for implementing locked printing on a printing device with remote unlock. The printing device includes a locked print process that is configured to examine print data received by the printing device and determine whether locked printing is to be used for the print data. Print data designated for locked printing is stored on the printing device. The printing device also includes a Web application configured to generate Web pages that define a Web-based graphical user interface. When processed at a client device, the Web pages allow a user to enter authorization data that is transmitted to the Web application on the printing device. The locked print process verifies the authorization data and if the authorization data is successfully verified, allows the user access to locked print data on the printing device. The approach may also be implemented using a common repository to store print data.

Abstract: Even if there are many printed images similar to a query image, this invention can effectively use a display window with a limited size and support to specify the print request source of each similar image by classifying and displaying the images according to additional information containing information indicating the print request source which has issued a print request for the image. Therefore, when a query image is input and images similar to the query image are found, the similar images are classified according to the user names of users who have printed them. The numbers of times of printing of the similar images and maximum similarities are displayed for the respective user names.

Abstract: A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus comprising a first FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a first FAX communication function using a public telephone network, a second FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a second FAX communication function using an IP network, an accepter unit configured to accept an operation designation of the first and second FAX communication functions, and a limiter unit configured to limit the first and second FAX communication functions based on the operation designation accepted by the accepter unit.

Abstract: It is desirable to provide a bitstream format for compressed data that would allow multiple processors to access and decompress different parts of the data in parallel. Compressed images are usually defined in terms of macroblocks that have a width less than the image width and a height less than the image height. Thus, an image is divided several bands of multiple lines, and each band of multiple lines is divided into a macroblock. The set of macroblocks that define a band is called herein a macroblock rasterscan. The bit stream format includes, for each image, a picture header followed by image scan data. The image scan data includes data corresponding to a plurality of macroblock rasterscans. The data for each macroblock rasterscan includes data for a plurality of macroblocks for a band of lines in the image followed by padding. The padding ensures that data for each macroblock rasterscan terminates on a data boundary.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes service modules for performing system side processes on image formation, wherein applications can be added to the image forming apparatus separately from the service modules, and the image forming apparatus includes an application launch part for referring to launch selection information indicating at least a location that stores one or more applications, and launching the one or more applications from the at least a location according to the launch selection information.

Abstract: A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing.

Abstract: Bandwidth of a data line of a network is subdivided into at least two portions before or during transmission so that, while a recipient is receiving data being transmitted to the recipient from a sender over a first portion of the data line, the recipient can transmit data to the sender or another device over free bandwidth on the other portion(s) of the data line.

Abstract: A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing.

Abstract: The invention provides a peripheral control device for allowing the user to select preferentially a setting of a peripheral device through a wired port. A setup utility searches a port of a printer installed onto a computer to search a pertinent printer. If the pertinent printer is found during the above searching, the peripheral control device acquires MAC address information through that port. When as a result of the searching, the pertinent printer having the same MAC address is found through a different port, the peripheral control device presents a wired port of the above-mentioned pertinent printer as a candidate in a settable port list. When changing a setting of a wireless LAN printer, the utility communicates wit the printer through each printer port installed at the time of activating the setup utility, not via wireless LAN.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling a scanner include a transmission speed detector and a controller. The transmission speed detector detects data transmission speed information between a host and the scanner. The controller controls a scanning speed of the scanner based on a scan resolution and the detected transmission speed information.

Abstract: A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing.

Abstract: A programmable image processor capable of realizing a plurality of image formation operations is comprised of an SIMD type data operation processing section, RAMs, memory controllers, and memory switches. The memory controller and the memory switches selectively connect the plurality of RAMs to the data operation processing section thereby changing the memory capacity allotted to each image formation operation among a plurality of image formation operations.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus comprising a first FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a first FAX communication function using a public telephone network, a second FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a second FAX communication function using an IP network, an accepter unit configured to accept an operation designation of the first and second FAX communication functions, and a limiter unit configured to limit the first and second FAX communication functions based on the operation designation accepted by the accepter unit.

Abstract: A connection architecture for a data-storage system may include: a connection-plane structure; a data-storage module attached to, and drawing power from, the connection-plane structure; an input/output (I/O) module attached to, and drawing power from, the connection-plane structure; and wireless means for exchanging data wirelessly between the data-storage module and the I/O module.

Abstract: When transmitting at least one group of image data from a transmitter for transmitting image data or a relay apparatus for relaying image data using common wiring or frequency band having the same transmission wave, it is checked whether a total volume of the image data transmitted at the same transmission timing exceeds a maximum volume of data which can be transmitted in a frequency band. When the total volume exceeds the maximum volume, the transmission timing of a portion of the image data or at least one group of image data from among the image data transmitted at the same transmission timing is shifted temporally forwards or backwards within a time span which is undetectable by the human eyes, and thereafter the data is transmitted.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is provided with boxes corresponding to an F-code which is received by facsimile transmission procedures, executes a center-machine application using the corresponding boxes based on sub-address information when receiving image information, the apparatus comprising. In the apparatus, an F-code input requesting portion requests a user to input an F-code when the user operates the apparatus for performing transmission, and a control portion searches for the box for which an F-code is registered, the value of which F-code agrees with the value of the F-code input by the user, and, only when finding the box, agrees to accept the transmission operation performed by the user, and registers, in document managing information for managing the transmission job performed by the transmission operation, identification information for the box as authentication information.

Abstract: A programmable image processor capable of realizing a plurality of image formation operations is comprised of an SIMD type data operation processing section, RAMs, memory controllers, and memory switches. The memory controller and the memory switches selectively connect the plurality of RAMs to the data operation processing section thereby changing the memory capacity allotted to each image formation operation among a plurality of image formation operations.

Abstract: A quantity of bandwidth currently allocated to a communication unit is determined and a display component of the communication unit is caused to graphically display information that indicates the determined quantity of bandwidth. The display information may also indicate a quantity of additional bandwidth that is available for allocation to the communication unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism to track and manage graphics states, in particular slow state variables, for use with a tile-based rendering architecture such as zone rendering. Slow state variables, including but not limited to infrequently changing state variables, large state variables (e.g., matrices) and state variables which require rendering pipeline flushes (e.g., texture palette changes), are maintained in a global (i.e., scene-scoped) list of slow state blocks. Since the driver software only needs to maintain a single list of slow state blocks for the entire scene, replication of slow state variables into bins is avoided.

Abstract: Compression apparatus is described that operates to select an optimum compression procedure to apply to received image data. The compression apparatus can be employed in a page printer having a print engine that must be provided with video data at a constant rate in order to avoid a print underrun. The page printer operates to receive print data and to convert the received print data into rasterized page strips. Some or all of these rasteized page strips can then be compressed by the compression apparatus for later conversion to video data. The compression apparatus operates to compress each received rasterized page strip by selecting a compression procedure that results in a compressed strip that will provide optimum print quality while not causing a print underrun and that is below a threshold data size.