Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an open document. The open document includes a first page including a first image and a second page including a second image. The apparatus also includes a storing unit configured to store the first page read by the reading unit as first page image data including the first image, and to store the second page read by the reading unit as second page image data including the second image.

Abstract: The present invention includes an offset processing section that performs offset processing for shifting a sheet to be outputted in a sheet width direction, a banner output section that prints a job attribute of a print job on a sheet, a job attribute determination section that determines the job attribute of the print job, and a control section that sets offset processing or banner output in the unit of a job attribute or in the unit of a job. When a job attribute of a preceding print job and a job attribute of a subsequent print job are different, offset processing and banner output are executed. When the job attribute of the preceding print job and the job attribute of the subsequent print job are the same, any one of offset processing and banner output is executed. Thereby, printed sheets can be easily obtained in the unit of a job attribute such as in the unit of a user.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that customizes a printer driver includes a reading unit configured to read a printer driver set for installing the printer driver, a setting unit configured to set limitation information that imposes a limit on setting information which is set when the printer driver included in the printer driver set read by the reading unit is installed into a computer, and a storage unit configured to store the limitation information in the printer driver set so that the limitation information can be registered in the computer in a state where the printer driver can be identified to be a customized printer driver having a setting of the limitation information when the printer driver included in the printer driver set is installed in the computer.

Abstract: The image forming device of this invention includes a control unit and a storage unit. The control unit determines whether or not data for printing which has been inputted while the power save mode is being executed is data for printing to which a control command is appended that commands the reduction of electrical power consumption. If it is data for printing to which a control command is appended, then the control unit does not execute any image forming operation, but instead stores this data for printing with control command appended in the storage unit.

Abstract: A system prints documents according to non-color content. The system includes a processing component that receives a print job that includes at least one of color and non-color content. A threshold selection component allows a user to select a minimum value of non-color content within the received print job. An analysis component evaluates the non-color content within each print job, compares the non-color content with the value selected via the threshold selection component, and modifies the color parameters of the print job to appear as non-color, if the threshold is met or exceeded. A print devices receives the print job information from the evaluation component and outputs the print job as a non-color print job if the non-color content threshold is met or exceeded, and outputs the print job as a color job if the non-color content threshold is not met.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing the scheduling of a plurality of print jobs for a print shop. The method includes obtaining a print job input stream including the plurality of print jobs. Each of the plurality of print jobs is scheduled for processing unless at least one of the plurality of print jobs is determined to be a disturbance job, the disturbance job causing delays in processing of other print jobs in the plurality of print jobs that would not occur but for the existence of the disturbance job in the print job input stream. The disturbance job is then assigned a processing related value that decreases over time, and scheduling of the disturbance job is delayed until the processing related value is less than a selected threshold value.

Abstract: In a method or printing system for sorting of print jobs, a check of specific directories as to whether a file belonging to a new print job has been generated is repeatedly implemented. A job identification number is associated with each new print job, the job identification numbers for print jobs stored in a specific group of directories being respectively generated chronologically. A plurality of print jobs are sorted corresponding to the job identification numbers.

Abstract: In this invention, a combined job obtained by combining a plurality of jobs is authenticated as a single job. According to the arrangement of this invention, when print jobs are to be spooled, these jobs are transferred from a dispatcher to a spooler where the jobs are combined. Upon reception of a print instruction, the print job is read out from a spool file, transferred from a despooler to a graphic engine again, and transferred from the dispatcher to a printer driver. At this time, the printer driver issues an authentication request in printing to a job accounting client. Thus, only one authentication request suffices for one combined job.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, software, and systems of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for forming the image on a sheet, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a sheet-feeding path for conveying the sheet, a detecting section positioned along the sheet-feeding path, which detects a leading edge, a trailing edge and a side edge of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed along the sheet-feeding path, a controller for registering dimensions, a memory for storing data of dimensions wherein when a auto-measurement mode is set in the controller, the controller controls the detecting section so as to detect the leading edge, the trailing edge and the side edge of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed along the sheet-feeding path and obtains a length and a width of the sheet, and then the controller registers the length and the width of the sheet to be stored in the memory.

Abstract: Service information provided by a user is notified to a central processing unit (CPU), and the CPU executes a computer program for an operation process of the service, to determine a path (channel) through which image data should pass and a process content of image processes according to the service. Depending on the service information, image process is performed only by a first image data processor, image processes are performed by a combination of both the first image data processor and a second image data processor, or image process is performed only by the second image data processor.

Abstract: A print processing device including a printing unit to print an image on a sheet, a reading unit to read a sheet, an operation unit including keys to be operated by a user, a print control unit to cause the printing unit to print either a first sheet for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in a storage medium or a second sheet for selecting a language to be used in the first sheet, and an analyzing unit configured to analyze an image read by the reading unit. If a language is not registered, when the image corresponding to the second sheet is detected as an analysis result by the analyzing unit, the first sheet is printed using a language associated with the detected image and when the image corresponding to the second sheet is not detected, the second sheet is printed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system of determining which one of monochrome image data and color image data is desired according to a user instruction, and sending the image data in the desired format.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus has a facsimile function of transmitting data to an external apparatus and is capable of communicating with a terminal through a network. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit which stores data; a detection unit which detects whether the data stored in the storage unit has a specific format; a transmission data generation unit which is configured to generate transmission data to be transmitted to an external apparatus based on the data; and a transmission unit which is configured to transmit the transmission data to the external apparatus using the facsimile function.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a communication unit which executes communication with a mail server on a network, a connection unit to which a portable storage medium can be connected, a printing unit which executes printing, and a control unit which executes a mail acquisition process of acquiring an e-mail including a body and an attached file from the mail server via the communication unit, printing the body with the printing unit, and storing the attached file in a portable storage medium connected to the connection unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which can communicate with an external apparatus that provides WEB information, is provided. The apparatus comprises a storage unit configured to store a plurality of flow files that describe process contents of processes to be executed by the image processing apparatus, and an execution order; an acquisition unit configured to acquire WEB information from the external apparatus; a display unit configured to display a window based on the acquired WEB information; a selecting unit configured to select a flow file to be executed for the WEB information acquired by the acquisition unit; a processing unit configured to generate image data based on execution of the selected flow file; a storing unit configured to store the image generated data; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data stored in the storing unit to the external apparatus in accordance with a transmission instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that forms an image based on a control signal from an image processing controlling unit that processes input image information into image data. The apparatus includes a carriage that moves in a main scanning direction in accordance with the control signal; a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium in a sub-scanning direction; an output detection unit that detects motor outputs of the carriage at any plural points when the carriage moves at a constant speed; and a jamming determination unit that compares an average value of the motor outputs of the carriage between the plural points with a predetermined tolerance to determine a conveyance failure.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a tag information reading/writing unit which reads information from an IC tag attached to or embedded in a predetermined location of a print medium and writes information to the IC tag through wireless communication with the IC tag and which reads layout information, which defines at least a location of a printable area on the print medium, from the IC tag; a record data inputting unit which inputs record data representing contents recorded on the print medium; and a printing control unit which performs a printing process on the print medium on the basis of print target data in which a print location of the contents represented by the record data is determined on the basis of the layout information and which updates the layout information on the basis of information directly or indirectly representing a printed area in the print medium subjected to the printing process and allows the tag information reading/writing unit to write the layout information subjected to the updating p

Abstract: In a method and printing device, a deviation from a predetermined desired pitch that occurs between at least two points of at least one print image in a print direction is reduced. In a printing step, the at least one print image is generated on a substrate with at least one print head of the printing device with a relative movement between the at least print head and the substrate. In a determination step preceding the printing step, an initial deviation from a desired pitch between the two points is determined first and correction information to reduce the deviation is determined from the determined initial deviation. In the printing step, control signals for the at least one print head are generated depending on the correction information to generate the at least one print image. A variable delay of at least one of the control signals is predetermined by the correction information.

Abstract: A reference level of data required for outputting (printing, sending and so on) in accordance with output configuration settings is set. It is determined whether or not a level of target data to be output which is stored in a storage is lower than the reference level. When the level of the target data is lower than the reference level, the data level is increased in stages. The data of the level raised to the reference level is output in accordance with the output configuration settings.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided. The image reading device includes: a reading unit which reads an original while the reading unit and the original are relatively moved, to produce a plurality of image data based on a plurality of producing conditions, respectively, in response to a reading command input one time, the plurality of producing conditions being different mutually; and a storing unit which stores the plurality of image data produced by the reading unit in a same storing destination.

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: An image reading device includes: a document placing table including a first area and a second area; an image reading unit which reads an image on a document placed on the document placing table to obtain image data; a first detector configured to detect the document on the first area; and a controller including: a determining unit which determines that the document is placed on the first area if the first detector detects the document and determines that the document is placed on the second area if the first detector does not detect the document; and a first correction unit which corrects the image data obtained by the image reading unit based on a result of the determination by the determining unit.

Abstract: When an ID card (41, 81) including user ID stored therein is set in an image processing apparatus (1, 71), the user ID is read out of the IC card. Upon depression of a key instructing individual setting, ID information including the user ID and apparatus ID is transmitted to a computer terminal (3; 3-1, 3-2) which stores a plurality of user ID's and setting information corresponding to the apparatus. Responding to the ID information transmitted, the computer terminal transmits individual setting information stored therein for each user back to the image processing apparatus, whereupon the apparatus stores the individual setting information in a memory and realizes the individual setting for each user, which corresponds to the set user ID, in a control panel (8) of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for switching service process and a media server, wherein the method for switching the service process comprises: after a first service process performed together with a facsimile terminal is completed, and when a message, which is sent by an application server and which indicates to carry out a second service process, is received by a media server, the media server switching from the first service process to the second service process; and the facsimile terminal switching from the first service process to the second service process. Therefore, the switching of the facsimile is not limited by the switching control requirements of the media gateway, which is favorable for flexible expansion and interconnection of the facsimile services.

Abstract: Facsimile systems, devices, and methods are provided related to transmitting an image from a sending device to a receiving device via a network. One embodiment includes a status information reply unit which replies to a notification request of status information from a sending device by transmitting status information representing status of the receiving-device to the sending device via a network, in which the status information reply unit includes a transmission source classifying portion which determines a class of the sending device and a selected-status information transmitting portion which transmits the status information to the sending device via the network.

Abstract: An Internet facsimile apparatus includes a network communication unit for communicating with an external apparatus in direct SMTP via a network; a printing unit for printing image data received through the network communication unit from the external apparatus; and a response mode selecting unit for selecting between setting a first response mode to send a response right after image data reception acknowledging reception of the image data and setting a second mode to send a response after image data printing is completed when image data sent by direct SMTP communication is received through said network communication unit.

Abstract: A communication device receives and stores image data, and searches for information image data in the image data. If found, the information image data is removed, thereby shortening the image so that it can be completely reproduced on one page without compressing or clipping. The information image data may be added to the reproduced image as a watermark, or may be reinserted in a blank space in the image.

Abstract: In an image-reading device, a counting unit counts a number of clock cycles of a spread-spectrum clock as a counter value. A correcting unit corrects one of the counter value and a reference clock cycle number based on a phase detected by the phase detecting unit when the counting unit counts. A comparing unit compares the counter value and the reference clock cycle number and determines whether the counter value and the reference clock cycle number satisfy a prescribed relationship. A time length setting unit sets a length of at least one of a reading time and an irradiation time based on: a timing when the counting unit starts counting to set the time length; and a timing when the comparing unit determines that the compared values satisfy the prescribed relationship, such that the time length set by the time length setting unit remains constant.

Abstract: A printing system includes at least one marking engine and a paper path which carries sheets of print media to the marking engine from an upstream direction and carries sheets of print media which have been marked by the marking engine in a downstream direction. A buffer system includes a sheet buffer in the paper path downstream of the marking engine and optionally includes another sheet buffer in the paper path upstream of the marking engine. The buffer system allows variability in the residence time of the marking engine to be accommodated by varying the residence time of sheets in the downstream buffer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and product resulting from the application of distortion security images in a digitally printed color anti-copy document, printed on demand, which may be variable use laser printers or printer/copiers and/or ink-jet printers and/or digital presses at any resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for digitizing document in which the document (4) is feed driven in front of a sensor (2) by a drive mechanism (3) comprising a plurality of elements (31-36) which come into contact with the document (4) while it is fed, wherein the sensor (2) is capable of generating digital data from an image on the document (4), wherein the process comprises steps consisting of: —detecting when the contact is established or broken between the document (4) and one of the elements (32), —correcting the digital data by applying to the data a distortion correction function which takes into account the position of the sensor (2) with respect to the image when the detection takes place.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a lamp shining light on a target original document to be read; a lamp operating circuit for turning on the lamp; an image sensor receiving light shone from the lamp to the original document and reflected from the original document, for generating image data; a control section outputting a lamp control signal for controlling turning-on and -off of the lamp to the lamp operating circuit; and a lamp control circuit, separate from the control section, outputting a lamp control signal for controlling turning-on and -off of the lamp and, when a main power switch of the apparatus is turned on, permitting the lamp to be turned on before the control section is activated.

Abstract: A print control device capable of controlling a printer to execute a printing operation is provided with a data converting module configured to convert job data output by an application and print setting data set by the control device into print data, a search condition defining module configured to define a search condition, a searching module configured to search the print setting data based on the search condition set by the search condition setting module, and an executing module configured to execute a predetermined operation when the print setting data meets the search condition.

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: An image-processing system and a method for controlling the same, including an image-scanning device obtaining image data by scanning data written on a document, an image-processing device processing the image-data item and outputting as an output-image data, and a user interface including setting conditions of the scanning and the image processing, setting an item having a limit value, so as to determine whether or not, at least one of (1) the size of the processed image data, and (2) a time period from when the scanning processing is started to the output, should be limited based on an input from the user interface, changing at least one of the conditions based on the item, performing scanning for the document based on the conditions and the changed condition, and processing image data obtained through the scanning based on the conditions and the changed condition, and outputting the output-image data.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading unit and a controller connected to the reading unit through a transmission path. The controller includes: a first clock generator which generates a first reference clock; a second clock generator which generates a second reference clock; a line synchronizer which generates a line synchronization signal based on the first reference clock; a clock transmitter which transmits the line synchronization signal and a unit clock based on the first reference clock to the reading unit; and a processor which execute a process based on the second reference clock and which is synchronized with the line synchronization signal. The reading unit includes a reading sensor which reads a document line by line based on the unit clock and the line synchronization signal.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a unit for reducing original image data of an image scanned by a scanning unit to generate a preview image; a unit for saving/reading a preview image data item of the preview image data in/from a memory; a unit for transferring the preview image data item saved in the memory to a display unit; a unit for inputting information indicating a relationship between a main scanning direction in which the image is scanned and an upper side of the image; and a unit for changing an arrangement order of pixels in the preview image data item such that the main scanning direction extends from a left side to a right side and the sub scanning direction extends from the upper side to a lower side of the preview image, as viewed with the upper side of the preview image at the top.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who cannot take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for outputting image data by applying a process that suits an input condition and an output condition to the image data.

Abstract: A production printing system for processing a plurality of print jobs may include a plurality of print job processing resources and a computer-readable storage medium including one or more programming instructions for performing a method of processing a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment. The method may include identifying a print job size distribution for a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment and determining whether the print job size distribution exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic. For each print job size distribution that exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic, the plurality of print jobs may be grouped into a plurality of subgroups such that at least one of the plurality of subgroups exhibits a non-heavy-tail characteristic, and each job in the at least one of the plurality of subgroups exhibiting the non-heavy-tail characteristic may be processed by one or more print job processing resources.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for generating a variable data differential line pattern font comprising forming a periodic line pattern suitable for tessellation disposition within a printed document and selectively distorting a portion of the periodic line pattern in a predetermined manner wherein the distorting comprises generating a distinguishable font corresponding to the distorting. A plurality of different distinguishable fonts are formed by a corresponding plurality of distorted line patterns, respectively.

Abstract: In a copying operation, an MFP reads a code image printed on the paper, acquires a paper ID from the code image, acquires paper information associated with the paper ID, specifies an electronic document as a print source, and acquires the specified electronic document. The MFP prints a paper ID on the paper with the code image and the acquired electronic document, and stores paper information including a paper ID of a copy source in association with the paper ID. When a first MFP leaves an image processing system, respective information concerning electronic document acquisition managed by the first MFP is transferred to a second MFP.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing network-connected devices in peak power periods. The method establishes a network of connected devices, identifying a first device in the network as an off-peak device, and a second device as a peak device. If a peak power warning signal is detected, the off-peak device is disabled, but not the peak device. Any job destined for the off-peak device from a source device is relayed to the peak device and processed by the peak device. If the job destined for the off-peak device is a job format associated with the off-peak device, relaying the job to the peak device may further include the operation of converting the job to a job format associated with the peak device. In one aspect, a destination change message is sent to the source device, indicating the location of the peak device processing the job.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus which scans a document is disclosed. The document processing apparatus includes a scanning condition managing unit for managing plural scanning conditions to be applied to the document based on a category of the document, a scanning request obtaining unit for obtaining a scanning request for the document via a network, a document category determining unit, a scanning condition determining unit, and a condition inputting unit. The document is scanned based on the scanning condition determined by the scanning condition determining unit, and the condition inputting unit, based on a result determined by the scanning condition determining unit, replaces a part of the scanning condition to be applied to the document, which is the object of the scanning request, with another scanning condition.

Abstract: A first acquiring unit acquires a print target image. A storage unit has stored thereon a combination image to be combined with the print target image in association with a judgment condition for determining whether the combination image is combined with the print target image. A second acquiring unit acquires attribute values related to the print target image or a print environment when starting execution of printing of the print target image. A judging unit makes a judgment based on the attribute values acquired by the second acquiring unit and the judgment condition stored in the storage unit about whether the attribute values satisfy the judgment condition. A combination controller performs control to combine the combination image with the print target image when the judging unit judges that the attribute values satisfy the judgment condition.

Abstract: A usage status management device, which includes a collection section that collects usage history information of an image forming device, the usage history information including information on a usage of a display operation section of the image forming device, an analysis section that analyzes a usage status of the image forming device based on the usage history information collected by the collection section, and an output control section that controls to output the usage status of the image forming device analyzed by the analysis section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which makes it possible to change the manner of authentication between cases where restriction of a specific process is performed on an image of an original, as an original document, and where the restriction of the specific process is performed on an image of an original, as a copy of the original document. A scanner reads an image on an original. An embedded information-extracting section extracts specific information contained in the read image. A determining section determines based on the extracted information whether or not the original is an original document. An authenticating section performs authentication using respective difference pieces of authentication information in cases where the original is determined to be an original document and where the original is not. A copy operation control section restricts the specific process based on the image, according to a result of the authentication.

Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet discharging apparatus including a discharge head for deflectively discharging droplets through one discharge port at a plurality of pixel areas in adaptive fashion. The discharge head is controlled to discharge droplets at an object. A storage unit stores status information about the discharge head. A communication unit communicates with an information processing apparatus located outside so as to transmit the status information to the information processing apparatus.