91results about "Photographic composing devices" patented technology

The scanning device includes a reading unit for reading texts, a display unit for controlling an operation panel, a network controlling unit for controlling a network function connected to a local area network, a mail function unit, an HTTP function unit, and a device controlling unit. The mail function unit realizes a mail sending function by using the network controlling unit. The HTTP function unit, using an HTTP protocol, sends and receives such information as resolution for reading texts, paper size, encoding system, button names which are information for distinguishing the texts, and computer address information by using the network controlling unit. The device controlling unit controls the reading unit, the mail function unit, and the HTTP function unit and includes a data storage unit which stores information assigned by a computer and image files read by the reading unit.

An automatic scanner calibration method and apparatus is disclosed in which a calibrated target, such as a Kodak(R) gray strip, is attached to a scanning surface of a scanner. The target is thin and has a width or length of platen of a scanner. During a normal scan, the calibration target area can be ignored or scanned depending on user selection. If the strip is scanned, then the resulting information is used to calibrate the scanner automatically. Such calibration is more accurate than an older in time or preset default calibration Another embodiment of the invention actuates a print of a printer calibration target on a printer on a scheduled basis. Thereafter, the user can take the printer calibration target and place it on the scanner and perform a calibration of a scanner / printer system.

A data processing system and method of processing format parameters of a variable data area within a base document are described. According to the present invention, a base document defined by a data set stored within the data processing system is created utilizing a user application. In response to identification of a portion of the base document as a variable data area, at least one page description language comment statement associated with the variable data area is inserted within the data set. In response to specification of format parameters for the variable data area, the format parameters of the variable data area are encoded within the comment statement. In one embodiment, an identifier of selected variable data to be presented within the variable data area is also encoded within the comment statement.

In an image processing apparatus which has a plurality of overlapping entry screens, a desired one is selectively displayed and various operation conditions are set on the selected entry screen. The contents of all the set operation conditions are displayed in the form of a list. The list is displayed together with an entry screen.

A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate by means of ink jet is disclosed. The ink jet fluid contains an oleophilizing compound as defined in the description. Preferred compounds are 8-hydroxyquinolines, 7-hydroxybenzimidazoles, and 7-hydroxybenztriazoles.

A bevel inspection module for capturing images of a substrate is provided. The module includes a rotational motor, which is attached to a substrate chuck and is configured to rotate the substrate chuck thereby allowing the substrate to revolve. The module further includes a camera and an optic enclosure, which is attached to the camera and is configured to rotate, enabling light to be directed toward the substrate. The camera is mounted from a camera mount, which is configured to enable the camera to rotate on a 180 degree plane allowing the camera to capture images of at least one of a top view, a bottom view, and a side view of the substrate. The module yet also includes a backlight arrangement, which is configured to provide illumination to the substrate, thereby enabling the camera to capture the images, which shows contrast between the substrate and a background.

A method and system for printing web pages from an intra- or internet source with a client computer. The client computer is capable of accessing and viewing a web page from an intra- or internet source and has access to a program storage. The program storage device includes (i) an HTML source file containing a list of printable web pages and (ii) a program of instructions executable by the computer at a predetermined, modifiable time to print web pages from the intra- or internet source with the client computer. The program selects one or more of the printable web pages from the HTML source file, accesses the web pages selected from the HTML source file, and prints the accessed web pages. The printable web pages may be accessed on different levels of hierarchy in HTML files. The storage device also contains a plurality of different lists of printable web pages and a menu of each of the lists, whereby the method includes selecting from the menu a desired list and providing an HTML source file containing the desired list of printable web pages.

When a host transfers only an image to a printing apparatus to make it print out the image, a heavy load is imposed on the host, and the data size to be transferred is large, resulting in a long processing time. To prevent this, when a document is to be printed, the driver on a host sends character codes of characters that occur for the first time in that document and corresponding character images to the printer in advance, and registers them. After this process, the driver transmits, to the printer, characters as character codes, ruled lines as coordinate data representing their corner points, and data other than characters and ruled lines as mapped images. The printer maps an image on a page memory, maps characters as images with reference to the registered character codes and images, and superposes the mapped character images on the image mapped on the page memory. Also, the printer maps ruled lines based on their vertex positions, and synthesizes them on the already mapped image. The printer prints the synthesized image.

A printer driver conserves recording paper by removing blank space formed at the top and bottom of each page when printing. The printer driver 9 acquires the coordinates of the top and bottom of the part of the print image that is not blank space from the print image B of the print data for one page, and calculates the page length L required to print the middle area H between the top and bottom blank space areas based on these coordinates. The area print data for printing this middle area H is then extracted and printed. When printing is completed, the recording paper 11 is conveyed only the difference N between the page length L and the transportation distance M of the recording paper 11 to set the print head 10 to a position separated only the page length L from the printing start position of the area print data, that is, to a position touching the middle area H. As a result, only the middle area H for each page is printed to the recording paper 11. Blank space between the middle areas H of consecutively printed pages is also eliminated.

An image taking apparatus includes an image sensor which takes a plurality of images different in focal distance, a processor which creates a pan-focus image focused on each of different photographic objects from the plurality of images taken by the image sensor, a discriminator which discriminates whether or not it is appropriate to create the pan-focus image, and a controller which forbids the processor to create the pan-focus image when the discriminator discriminates that it is not appropriate to create the pan-focus image.

New interpolation techniques allow improved efficiency and speed in performing color space conversions. A radial interpolation technique accomplishes an interpolation by generating successive subcubes. A value of a vertex of the final subcube generated is used as the result of the interpolation. Subcubes are generated by averaging a selected vertex value with the vertex values of each of the remaining vertices. A pruned radial interpolation technique employs a subset of the vertex values of the initially selected cube to generate the result of the interpolation, thereby improving upon the efficiency of the radial interpolation. A tetrahedral interpolation technique accomplishes an interpolation by generating successive subcubes. A value of a vertex of the final subcube generated is used as the result of the interpolation. Subcubes are generated by applying a mathematical relationship which allows computation of subcube vertex values through a series of logical AND, logical OR and averaging operations. A pruned tetrahedral interpolation technique employs a subset of the vertex values of the initially selected cube to generate the result of the interpolation, thereby improving upon the efficiency of the tetrahedral interpolation. A common hardware implementation of pruned radial interpolation and pruned tetrahedral interpolation uses the common hardware structure of the two techniques with multiplexing of the input vertex values to allow performance of either a pruned radial interpolation or a pruned tetrahedral interpolation. Non-symmetric pruned radial and Non-symmetric pruned tetrahedral interpolation permit interpolation using interpolation data values distributed throughout the color space with a resolution that varies according to characteristics of the color space. Multiplexing of the interpolation data values to the non-symmetric pruned radial interpolation hardware and to the non-symmetric pruned tetrahedral interpolation hardware allows for a common hardware implementation.

PCT No. PCT / CH95 / 00223 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 2, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 2, 1997 PCT Filed Oct. 3, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 10881 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 11, 1996A printer / scanner unit includes a scanner for optically reading a document model and a printer to print a recording medium. The document model is transported along a transport path from a feed device to an output device of a transport device. After the scanning step, the document model is displayed on a screen and can be completed there with supplementary data, supplied, for example, by means of a data input device, such as a keyboard or a data memory. A document model which has been scanned askew, for example, can be shifted to a position which has been defined for completion with supplementary data, and can possibly be altered in size. It is foreseen that then only the data with which the document model on the screen is to be completed are transmitted to the printer, and the supplementary data are printed on the original of the document model, which was previously scanned. For that purpose, the data must be converted with transformation parameters, which the computer has obtained from the aforementioned shift of the scanned model into the defined position. The device is particularly suitable for filling in original, pre-printed forms or completing them with other data.

A network system makes it possible to construct a multifunction system using an existing network system currently employed in an office. The network system includes: (a) a printer for carrying out printing; (b) a plurality of clients for outputting various requests including a printing request and facsimile transmission request; (c) a server designed to carry out processing in response to requests sent from the plurality of clients, connected on a facsimile transmission / reception line, and composed of (1) a unit that, when a client outputs a printing request, outputs a printing instruction to the printer, (2) a unit that, when a client outputs a facsimile transmission request, transmits data over the facsimile transmission / reception line, and (3) a unit that, when data is transmitted over the facsimile transmission / reception line, receives the transmitted data.

An output apparatus comprises: a plurality of interface sections for inputting data which is supplied from an upper apparatus such as a host computer; an input buffer section to store the input data; an analyzing section for analyzing the input data and for forming predetermined image data; and an output section such as a laser beam printer or the like for outputting or printing the image data. The output apparatus further includes a judging section for judging whether the data inputted from which one of the plurality of interface sections should be deleted, a deleting section for deleting by a predetermined method the data of the input buffer section in which the data to be deleted has been stored, and a notifying section to notify the interface which is deleting at present to the operator. When the designated interface section differs from the interface section which is printing at present, it is judged that the data in the input buffer section should be deleted. When the designated interface section coincides with the interface section which is printing at present, the data in both of the input buffer section and the data storing section to store the image data is deleted.

A multifunction apparatus has a receiver that receives a picture signal and a converter that converts the picture signal received by the receiver into image data. A memory is provided for storing the image data obtained through conversion by the converter. The memory is usable also for an operation other than an operation related to the conversion by the converter unit. A detector detects an amount of memory space available in the memory. A conversion mode changer changes a mode of conversion by the converter unit, on the basis of result of the detection by the detector unit. The multifunction apparatus improves the quality of image data and efficiently and fully uses the memory, thereby reducing the memory capacity required and reducing the manufacturing costs.

An image processing apparatus converts first image data of a first resolution N to second image data of a second resolution M, which is lower than the first resolution N, so as to output the second image data. The apparatus includes a processing unit for determining the position of a target pixel in the first image data in accordance with the ratio of the second resolution M to the first resolution N. The position of the target pixel is then used to define an area in which pixel values in the defined area are used to generate pixel values. The image processing apparatus also includes a selection signal generating unit for generating a selection signal in accordance with the target pixel value and an attribute signal representing the attribute of the target pixel. Also included in the image processing apparatus is an output unit for selecting one of the pixel values generated by the processing unit by using the selection signal so as to output the selected value as the second image data.

A method for providing a user access to an extended color gamut digital image and for obtaining payment therefor, comprising the steps of representing the extended color gamut digital image with a limited color gamut digital image and one or more associated residual image(s) representing a difference between the extended color gamut digital image and the limited color gamut digital image; storing the limited color gamut digital image and the associated residual images(s) in an electronic memory; providing the user or user's designee access to the limited color gamut digital image in the electronic memory to provide a preview image; obtaining a payment identifier from the user and making payment using such payment identifier to permit the user or user's designee access to the associated residual image(s); and providing the user or user's designee access to the associated residual image(s) in the electronic memory.

The printer includes a CPU, a bridge image processing unit, a RAM, a ROM, a supply power control unit, a printing unit, a communication I / F, and physical layer I / Fs. When the Ethernet is connected to the communication I / F, if the DMA transfer request signal is not outputted from the DMAC for more than a specific time, the supply power control unit shifts into the sleep mode that halts the supplies of clock to the CPU, etc.; and if data is received from the host computer group, the supply power control unit releases the sleep mode. Further, in case that equipment conforming to the USB standard or the IEEE 1284 is connected to the communication I / F, if the DMA transfer request signal is not outputted from the DMAC for more than the specific time, the supply power control unit shifts into the power halt mode that halts the supply of power to the CPU, etc. Thus, the invention provides a printer capable of effectively reducing the power consumption.

A system of producing digital portraits and associated methods are provided. One method includes capturing a plurality of images with a digital recording device and displaying the images in the predetermined groups, such as in groups of two or three images. The customer selects desired images, which can be digitally modified in a variety of ways, and the selected images are electronically transmitted to a digital printer. The digital printer is maintained by an unrelated and distinct third-party host.

An arrangement for emulating printer responses to combinations of applications, control commands and printers stores bit maps of characters which may be produced by a variety of printers connected to the system. Bit maps corresponding to characters within a text string, indicated by a cursor position within a text file are retrieved in accordance with a printer selection, a character code and a table address. The table address is retrieved from memory in response to a selected application profile and one or more selected commands. The printer response is produced in a window of the display as a sequential series of sub-windows corresponding to characters of the text string; each sub-window having a width corresponding to the width of each character image. The display also includes a plurality of menus for facilitating operator selection of a combination of application profiles, commands and printers to be emulated.

To obtain proper output results regardless of the type of recording sheets and obtain the user's desired output results without having the user perform cumbersome operations, the user operates an operating section to select a sheet feeding stage, gives an instruction to start copying, and then a controller section 15 of an image forming apparatus determines whether or not a 180° rotation mode for rotating image data through 180° is set and / or whether or not preprint sheets are used for recording. If the answer is negative, the image data are output based on normal settings. On the other hand, if the answer is affirmative, the image data are output after being rotated through 180°.

An improved method of encoding and compressing digital halftones that utilizes a “none-of-the-above” method for designating variable-length runs. A monochrome input bitmap is rearranged slightly to reduce the patterns possible in contained digital halftone cells. This revised monochrome bitmap is parsed into subfiles to optimize run-lengths. The parsed subfiles are combined into a single file whose alternating runs of 1's and 0's are converted into successive variable-length binary numbers. One of the permutations of an antecedent binary is designated “none-of-the-above” and its use triggers a subsequent variable-length binary. All other permutations within each variable-length binary may designate a specific contained run-length and such use triggers a return to the initial binary in the series. The above method is reversed to decode and uncompress the encoded file to reproduce the original revised monochrome bitmap for display by a computer monitor or printer.

A method for monitoring the status of individual communications that are included in mail pieces created by a large scale document production and management processes. More than one communication may be included in a single mail piece to a given address. Accordingly, the present invention allows monitoring and tracking of individual communications where mail piece information alone may be insufficient. The production and management process may be comprised of a plurality of different stages including: utilizing a print stream to generate the documents, printing documents on a printer in accordance with the print stream, and forming completed mail pieces on an inserter from the printed documents in accordance with mail piece creation data files. A monitoring system receives information regarding the status of individual documents within these production and management process stages. A mail piece data file and an individual communication file are linked such that mail piece data can be used to provide information about individual communications.

An optical element driving device includes an optical element holder, first and second magnets, first and second magnetic bodies each having a cross section including a vertex and first and second legs forming an opening therebetween, first and second piezoelectric elements that move the optical element holder in directions perpendicular to each other by slidingly moving the first and second magnetic bodies by vibrating the first and second magnets, and first and second magnetic sensors that detect a position of the optical element holder, wherein the first and second piezoelectric elements are driven in a state in which the first and second magnets are coupled to the first and second legs from the opening side, wherein the first and second magnets are each magnetized in directions perpendicular to a magnetization line, and wherein the second magnetic sensor is disposed at a position that is not on the magnetization line.

An information providing system includes a plurality of first terminal apparatuses installed for public use, a second terminal apparatus owned by the user who is to be provided with information, and an information providing apparatus which can communicate with the first and second terminal apparatuses. The information providing apparatus includes a unit for receiving information provided to the user, and a unit for transferring the received information to, among the first terminal apparatuses, a first terminal apparatus designated in advance by the user provided with the information.