Abstract: Print settings changed in a direct printing-capable image forming apparatus are treated as either temporary changes or permanent changes depending on the state of the image forming apparatus when the print settings are changed. Specifically, print settings changed when the image forming apparatus is in a direct printing-executable state are treated as temporary, whereas print settings changed when the image forming apparatus is in a direct printing-inexecutable state are treated as permanent. Usability regarding print settings is improved.

Abstract: A hand-held printer is disclosed. The hand-held printer includes an image sensor configured to determine a color having plurality of color components associated with a print medium, an image processing module configured to process image data into a plurality of color layers; and a print module configured to receive information related to the plurality of color components from the image sensor and information related to the plurality of color layers from the image processing module. The print module being configured to enhance at least one of the plurality of color layers based on at least one of the corresponding plurality of color components associated with the print medium.

Abstract: A method and system for delineating document boundaries and identifying document types by analyzing digital images of one or more documents, automatically categorizing one or more pages or subdocuments within the one or more documents and automatically generating delineation identifiers, such as computer-generated images of separation pages inserted between digital images belonging to different categories, a description of the categorization sequence of the digital images, or a computer-generated electronic label affixed or associated with said digital images.

Abstract: Methods disclosed permit compositing operations to be performed on images using an associated mask even in situations where the image and the mask differ in size. In some embodiments, image and mask data may be specified as a soft mask image in a page description language such as PDF. Scaling operations may be performed on the image, mask, or on both the image and mask when they differ in size. Compositing operations may be performed on the scaled image and/or mask after they have been scaled to the same size. Composting operations in situations where the original mask and image are of the same size are not affected by scaling operations.

Abstract: Scanner, method or computer program product, arranged to sense media color information, store predetermined color values of preselected non-printed media and storing corresponding color profiles adapted for the respective preselected media, and process sensed color values, compare a sensed color value with the predetermined color values, and select one of said color profiles based on the comparison.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cable label forming apparatus having an edit screen display device, a selection candidate display instructing device, and a selection candidate display device. The selection candidate display device displays a last selected candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in a normal edit screen when displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed, and displays a specific candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in a cable label forming edit screen when displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network system according to the present invention is a network system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are communicably connected via a network, and an electronic device capable of independent operation is communicably connected to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The electronic device includes a data input/output unit that sends/receives control data of the electronic device to/from the image forming apparatus to which the electronic device is connected, and the image forming apparatus includes a data communications unit that sends/receives the control data to/from the electronic device connected to the image forming apparatus, and a network communications unit that sends/receives the control data to/from another image forming apparatus via the network.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus processes a print job which includes electronic document data containing a shared object to be used wholly in the print job, a non-shared object to be used in part of the print job, and position information on each object, and a job ticket indicating print setting information associated with the electronic document data. The apparatus determines a dividing unit for the electronic document data, based on print attribute information contained in the electronic document data and the print setting information in the job ticket associated with the print attribute information, generates, according to the determined dividing unit, multiple electronic document data items each containing the shared object and the non-shared object associated with the dividing unit, but not including non-shared object unassociated with the dividing unit, and sequentially transmits the generated divided multiple electronic document data items to a printer.

Abstract: A method of configuring a printing system includes providing a document key having an initial image and providing a printing system that includes a memory storing a first system setting. The method also includes scanning the document key and validating the initial image. The method can optionally include marking a first overlay image over at least a portion of the initial image, scanning the document key, and verifying the marking of the first overlay image thereon. The method also includes configuring or permitting the configuration of the printing system after the initial image has been validated or the marking of the first overlay image on the initial image has been verified. A printing system that is capable of being configured using the document key is also included.

Abstract: A hand-propelled printer/scanner is disclosed for use in updating a project document, such as any diagram, schematic, floor plan, or other document. The project document is updated with revision drawings and/or notes printed by the hand-propelled printer/scanner directly on an existing project document. The hand-propelled printer/scanner is sized for single hand use and is moved about on the project document for printing the revisions and notes. A position module provides absolute position data so that the revisions and notes are printed at the correct locations on the existing document. Use of the hand-propelled printer/scanner allows project documents to be updated on the job site, as an example.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method for controlling printing, the apparatus and method including acquiring printing apparatus identification information for identifying a printing apparatus from a removable medium connected to the information processing apparatus, producing print data to be printed by the printing apparatus using a printer driver compatible with the printing apparatus identified by the printing apparatus identification information, storing the print data produced by the print data production unit on the removable medium.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cable label forming apparatus having an edit screen display device, a selection candidate display instructing device, and a selection candidate display device. The selection candidate display device displays a last selected candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in a normal edit screen when displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed, and displays a specific candidate among the plurality of selection candidates on a priority basis in a cable label forming edit screen when displaying the plurality of selection candidates is instructed.

Abstract: A tape printing apparatus registers a word string constituting document data to be printed by depression of a print key in a learnt-contents storing region under subscribed conditions. A CPU divides the document data to be printed into letter strings based on information about constituent letters of the to-be-printed word string and a learning condition determination table. Thereafter, the CPU determines whether or not the to-be-printed word string should be registered based on registered letter string data stored in the learnt-contents storing region and the contents of the divided letter string.

Abstract: An image formation controller judges whether or not a tint block has been detected by a tint block processor upon judging that an automatic color determination mode is set in a multi functional peripheral. The image formation controller causes an image forming section to perform a monochromatic image forming operation if the tint block is a chromatic tint block when the tint block was detected by the tint block processor. On the other hand, the image formation controller causes the image forming section to perform an image forming operation corresponding to a determination result by an ACS processor when no tint block was detected and when the tint block was determined to be a monochromatic tint block.

Abstract: A hand-propelled printer/scanner is disclosed for use in updating a project document, such as any diagram, schematic, floor plan, or other document. The project document is updated with revision drawings and/or notes printed by the hand-propelled printer/scanner directly on an existing project document. The hand-propelled printer/scanner is sized for single hand use and is moved about on the project document for printing the revisions and notes. A position module provides absolute position data so that the revisions and notes are printed at the correct locations on the existing document. Use of the hand-propelled printer/scanner allows project documents to be updated on the job site, as an example.

Abstract: An image processing system, a computer readable medium, a printing device and a reading device are provided. The image processing system includes an operation unit which receives commands; a setting unit which performs setting processing for setting, in accordance with the commands received by the operation unit, a performance condition including an independent setting item, the independent setting item comprising first and second fields for setting different values, respectively, for the front side and the back side of a sheet material; and a performance unit which processes the front side and the back side of the sheet material in accordance with the performance condition set by the setting unit. The printing device includes a print unit that performs double-sided printing on a sheet material; the operation unit; the setting unit; and a control unit that controls the print unit to perform double-sided printing in accordance with the print condition.

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 method implemented in a print job management apparatus for processing print jobs in a multiple-printer print shop environment is described. Each print job specifies job ticket parameters representing printing requirements. Each received job is processed by comparing the printing requirements of the job with capabilities of the printers. If a printer cannot satisfy all printing requirements of the job, it is eliminated as a candidate printer. Then, from all printers that can satisfy all printing requirements of the job, one printer is selected based on a pre-defined priority preference and the job is submitted to the selected printer. The printer priority preference is created by the operator based on cost and other factors. The operator can also select an alternative execution mode where, among all printers that can satisfy all requirements of the job, the one with minimum wait time is selected.

Abstract: When a user sets, from a user interface window using a bookbinding application, instructions of dividing a document into a plurality of parts and stapling each part of the document, a printer driver generates one job in which the staple attribute of a binder corresponding to each part is set to “ON” or “OFF”, and issues the job for a printer. With this operation, the user can perform staple designation to an arbitrary part of the document, and can realize a plurality of staple processes in one print job.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a detecting portion that detects a connection with an external storage device that stores print data and print completed page information of the print data; a reading portion that reads the print data and the print completed page information from the external storage device; and a printing portion that prints the print data from a next page of a print completed page with reference to the print completed page information.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide for empty object/file detection by classifying an object/file based on a set of classification types, and parsing a portion of the object/file to determine whether the object/file is empty.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing control method and apparatus, a computer program product, and the like in which printing data is held in a hierarchical structure and a printing job is issued to a printer to cause the printer to print. In the printing control method according to the present invention, different setting values can be set in the lower and upper layers of the hierarchical structure as printing setting data containing double-sided printing or single-sided printing setting. When a setting value different from that of the upper layer is set in the lower layer of the hierarchical structure, the printer is instructed on a setting in the lower layer for each printing data to which the setting value is applied.

Abstract: A method and system is provided including a plurality of multi-function devices being operatively associated with at least one controller. Each of the plurality of multi-function devices having time staggered payment support capabilities for enabling at least one user continued access to the plurality of multi-function devices. A detecting module is provided for enabling the plurality of multi-function devices to automatically detect, inspect, and verify at least one authorization code located on incoming print jobs. The method and system enable the at least one user to pay for continued access to the plurality of multi-function devices via time staggered installments without one or more of the plurality of MFDs directly accessing a payment center via a network connection and without manually supplying the at least one authorization code to the plurality of multi-function devices.

Abstract: The present invention, as evidenced from the drawings and descriptions provided herein, can be characterized in various, different, through unifying, ways. For example, from a methodologic point of view, the invention may be seen as providing a method which (1) procedurally engages a PDF data stream that is en route to printing, (2) determines whether, in that data stream, there is an image-only data file, and (3), if the answer to that determination is Yes, channels that data file into a novel PDF image-only pipeline for expedited pre-printing preparation (image decoding, resizing, rendering, etc.). From a systemic point of view, the invention proposes an interactive and cooperative assembly of structures, as illustrated in the drawing figures, which are constructed specifically to perform the methodologic functions just described.

Abstract: A hand-propelled printer/scanner is disclosed for use in updating a project document, such as any diagram, schematic, floor plan, or other document. The project document is updated with revision drawings and/or notes printed by the hand-propelled printer/scanner directly on an existing project document. The hand-propelled printer/scanner is sized for single hand use and is moved about on the project document for printing the revisions and notes. A position module provides absolute position data so that the revisions and notes are printed at the correct locations on the existing document. Use of the hand-propelled printer/scanner allows project documents to be updated on the job site, as an example.

Abstract: A mobile, handheld and hand-propelled tattoo printer is disclosed for use in printing a tattoo design on a body part. The tattoo design may be any image, graphic, word, phrase, or other tattoo design. The tattoo printer receives or generates image data of the tattoo design. A user moves the tattoo printer on a body part for printing the tattoo design. A position module provides absolute position data so that the tattoo design is accurately printed. The tattoo printer can be used to apply countless tattoo designs based upon image data received from one or more sources.

Abstract: A mobile, handheld and hand-propelled labeling printer is disclosed for use in printing label data on a storage object. The label data may include a description of the preservation item, the data and time that the preservation item was collected, the location from which it was collected, an identification of the person who collected the item, an identification number, and other data. The label data may be printed as text or code. The labeling printer receives image data of the label data. A user moves the labeling printer on a storage object for printing the label data while a position module provides absolute position data so that the label data is accurately printed. Complete consistency between stored label data and printed label is achieved because the image data is based on label data obtained from the stored label data.

Abstract: Described are a printer and a method of controlling it, wherein when an out-of-paper error occurs and printing stops, a control unit clears any data in a receive buffer, and reports the out-of-paper error and print stoppage to a host computer. When a clear buffer command is then received from the host computer, the control unit clears the receive buffer again.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a method that receives a previously created variable data print file. The method iterates through pages of the variable data print file to identify reused objects and decomposes the variable data print file into a decomposed document template, comprising the reused objects, and into a decomposed (factored) variable data file, comprising objects other than the reused objects. In some embodiments the method can further decompose the reused object into image and graphic objects, and into non-image and non-graphic objects. This allows the image and graphic objects, the non-image and non-graphic objects, and/or the decomposed variable data file to be edited without needing to go back to the application that-originally generated the variable print data file.

Abstract: Control is effected to produce a plurality of child print jobs for a plurality of printers from data to be printed, on the basis of inputted instruction for distributed print, and information regarding a parent print job is produced on the basis of information regarding the plurality of child print jobs produced under control of the distributed print, and the parent job is displayed in a distinguishable manner from the child print job.

Abstract: A printer having a first printing mode in which information is printed in a normal image on a general printing tape and a second printing mode in which information is printed in a mirror image on a transfer tape. When the printer prints a two-dimensional code symbol image 40b in the second printing mode on the transfer tape 31b, the printer also prints a two-dimensional code symbol image 40a in the normal image in an area of the transfer tape next to its area in which the symbol image is printed in the mirror image. At this time, an additional confirmative indication 42 is printed close to the symbol image 40a printed in the normal image to indicate that this symbol image should be used only for confirming the content of the symbol image printed in the mirror image.

Abstract: Described are a printer and a method of controlling it, wherein when an out-of-paper error occurs and printing stops, a control unit clears any data in a receive buffer, and reports the out-of-paper error and print stoppage to a host computer. When a clear buffer command is then received from the host computer, the control unit clears the receive buffer again.

Abstract: A label producing apparatus has a pressure roller drive shaft for feeding a cover film supplied from a cartridge storing a cover film capable of supply, acquires the arrangement information by accessing a database storing and holding arrangement information of the article to be arranged, and has a print head and a cutter for producing an auxiliary label by forming the acquired arrangement information for the cover film fed by the pressure roller drive shaft.

Abstract: A system is provided for forming a print shop configuration with a first set of equipment, the first set of equipment being derived from a second set of equipment from a first print shop and a third set of equipment from a second print shop. The system includes a manager and application, the manager and application working together to generate a list of at least some of all possible print shop configurations that could be formed with a selected number of cells. The cells are populated with selected pieces of equipment from the second and third sets of multiple pieces of equipment. A criterion is used to select, from the list of possible print shop configurations, the print shop configuration with the first set of equipment.

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels comprising: a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; user input means having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means; wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and maintaining activation of the character selection key for a predetermined time period selects the associated additional character.

Abstract: A print job distributing and holding system. The system is capable of distributing and holding plural print jobs where several printers are connected via a network.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises: an image forming unit adapted to execute image formation on a recording medium; and a writing unit adapted to be able to execute at least an information writing operation in a non-contact manner to a non-contact IC added to the recording medium. It is controlled whether or not the image forming unit should execute the image formation on the recording medium, according to a result of the information writing operation executed by the writing unit to the non-contact IC added to the recording medium.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of printers, at least a first and a second of the plurality of printers printing in a first print modality. A scheduling system schedules printing of a set of pages by the plurality of printers. The set of pages, when assembled, may include pages where a high level of consistency is desired, such as facing pages or pages which are otherwise to be placed in close relationship. The scheduling system includes at least two scheduling modes, a first mode in which a consistency constraint is applied to the set of pages, and a second mode, different from the first mode, in which the consistency constraint is not applied. The printing system is configured for printing the set of pages in accordance with the first mode and in accordance with the second mode.

Abstract: A system is provided for forming a print shop configuration with a first set of equipment, the first set of equipment being derived from a second set of equipment from a first print shop and a third set of equipment from a second print shop. The system includes a print shop configuration manager for determining whether a selected relationship exists between (1), one or more sets of job requirements and at least one of a set of print processing related cells or (2) two sets of print processing related cells. A possible print shop configuration may be discarded or prioritized, based on the existence of the selected relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus being connectable to a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus, comprising, a reception unit adapted to receive identification information used to identify the printing apparatus and used to specify a printer driver in the information processing apparatus, from the printing apparatus after connection to the printing apparatus, a storage unit adapted to store the identification information received by said reception unit, a transmission unit adapted to transmit the identification information stored in said storage unit to the information processing apparatus after connection to the information processing apparatus, a second reception unit adapted to receive print data generated in the information processing apparatus using a printer driver specified based on the identification information, from that information processing apparatus, and a second transmission unit adapted to transmit the print data received by said reception unit to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a memory section having a common storage area that temporarily stores data in an intermediate form, which are generated on the way between image data in a form of page description language and data in a bitmap form obtained by interpreting the image data, and the data in a bitmap form; and a control section configured to monitor a first event that the data in an intermediate form stored in the common storage area have been deleted and a second event that the data in a bitmap form stored in the common storage area have been deleted, and to determine presence or absence of area for the data in an intermediate form to be stored when either of the first and second events occurs.

Abstract: A printing method and apparatus includes fingerprinting a sheet of printable media such as paper to obtain a fingerprint. The fingerprint is encrypted using an encryption key known only to the user wanting to print the document. The encrypted fingerprint is then encoded and transferred to the document as machine readable information.

Abstract: When a printing device inputs image data from a memory card, the printing device prints an order sheet whereon are arranged a chart of the image data and setting entry fields for filling in a variety of settings for generating a movie based on these image data. The user uses various marking fields provided on the order sheet to specify the display times for the various image data and the effects to be performed on the various image data. When the printing device uses a scanner to read in the filled-out order sheet, movie data is generated based on the content that is set using this order sheet. The user is able to generate movies easily using this type of printing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which can perform image processing suitable for each image in a job as well as provides an image processing program storage medium. The image processing apparatus has an information storage section which stores processing information used for predetermined image processing in memory by associating it with front and back sides of paper each, a color conversion section which performs a color conversion process on an image based on the processing information associated by the information storage section with the front or back side on whichever the image is to be recorded, and a RIP section which converts the image data after color conversion into raster data while performing a correction process on the image data to correct image distortion.

Abstract: A print support apparatus includes: a unit acquiring printing specification information; a unit acquiring printing apparatus information indicating capabilities of printing apparatuses; a unit selecting a printing apparatus as a printing destination based on the printing specification information and the printing apparatus information; a unit acquiring document data associated with the printing specification information; a unit processing the acquired document data based on printing apparatus information indicating a capability of the selected printing apparatus and the acquired printing specification information; a unit creating printing setting information including a printing setting of the selected printing apparatus based on the acquired printing specification information; and a unit requiring printing of the selected printing apparatus based on the created printing setting information and the processed document data.

Abstract: In a method or system for printing a separator sheet with a printer or copier, with aid of a first program module, at least first data are generated that contain at least information for formatting of elements of at least one separator sheet, the elements to be printed on a register tab of the at least one separator sheet. The first data are processed with aid of a second program module so that second data are generated which print data for generation of a print image on the register tab are added to a print data stream. At least the register tab of the one separator sheet is printed with a print image by the printer or copier.

Abstract: A method of image forming comprises the steps of: converting image data into coded data with a code string using a coding key; forming a small pattern string on a sheet of printing paper by printing small patterns, each small pattern corresponding to a code constructing the coded data; recording a coding key or data corresponding to the coding key on a recording medium combined with the printing paper; advising a user to input a decoding key; reading out recorded data from the recording medium; determining whether the decoding key corresponds with the recorded data; scanning the small pattern string recorded on the printing paper when the decoding key corresponds with the recoded data; converting the small pattern string scanned from the printing paper into the code string; decoding the code string into the original image data using the decoding key; and printing an image on a sheet of printing paper based on the image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use in managing the regionalization of print media. In one system, a master data file having a plurality of different print features may be examined to identify at least one of the print features as a candidate print feature for possible modification in at least one region. For each candidate print feature, the system may receive user input to selectively establish a secondary data file for a print media campaign targeting at least the region in which the print candidate feature may be modified based, at least in part, on an existing regionalized print feature or on a requested regionalized print feature.

Abstract: A system and method for processing mailpiece content material in a mailpiece inserter including a printer integrated with the mailpiece creation system. The integrated printer receives print stream data from a software application and prints the mailpiece content material based upon command signals from a system controller. The system further includes at least one device disposed downstream of the printer for issuing a signal indicative of the rate that content material is processed by the inserter. The system controller monitors the throughput rate of the at least one downstream device and issues a command signal indicative thereof. The system and method of the present invention employs a page-based language monitor to throttle the print stream data received by the printer to vary the printing rate of mailpiece content material.

Abstract: A print data transmitting apparatus for transmitting print data to an image forming apparatus having a function of creating a printed material including a plurality of pages by inserting a plurality of sheets of special paper constituting one set into a predetermined position one by one. The print data transmitting apparatus comprises a number-of-constituent-sheets acquiring section for acquiring the number of sheets constituting one set of special paper, and an insertion information inputting section for receiving designation of insertion page position where special paper is to be inserted in the printed material, with using a unit of number of the page positions, the number of the page positions being equal to the number of sheets constituting one set of special paper.