A plurality of picture data storage/retrieval apparatuses are connected to each other through a communication line. Each picture data storage/retrieval apparatus has a two-dimensional scanning device for inputting picture data, a keyboard for entering control data, an optical disk for storing the picture data input through the two-dimensional scanning device, a floppy disk for storing a control program, a CRT display device for displaying the picture data stored in the optical disk, a printer for producing a hard copy of the picture data stored in the optical disk, and a communication control unit. When a given apparatus desires registration, retrieval or deletion of picture data in another apparatus, a control unit of the given apparatus communicates with the another apparatus through the communication control units.
An image forming apparatus is provided which forms an image on a sheet on the basis of image data selectively received from a plurality of host apparatuses. The image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of input/output ports, connected to the respective host apparatuses for receiving image data from the host apparatuses, keys for setting priority orders of the plurality of input/output ports, memories for storing the priority orders set by the keys, and a CPU for selecting one of the input/output ports in accordance with the priority orders stored in the memories, if image data is received simultaneously from two or more of the host apparatuses, a memory and photosensitive assembly for receiving image data from the input/output ports selected by the keys and for forming an image corresponding to the received image data.
This invention includes an apparatus for storing image data associated with related title data in a storage medium. The invention includes a scanner for reading image data (bit map image data), a combining unit for combining verification data (character data) with the image data read by the scanner, an optical disk for storing the verification data and the image data, a magnetic disk for storing search data, a keyboard or mouse for designating specific data of the search data stored in the magnetic disk, a read unit for reading out the image data and the verification data stored in the optical disk, and control unit for, when the verification data read out by the read unit and the search data designated by the keyboard or mouse match, for storing the search data in the optical disk together with the image data.
A system and method for on-demand printing is provided. The system includes at least one image capturing device, preferably a digital camera, which captures images during an event. The images captured by the digital cameras are transmitted to at least one printing station in which the captured images are stored and displayed, preferably but not necessarily after editing. The spectators of the event may request during the event, or shortly after, that any of the displayed images will be printed and the printing system of the present invention is suited to address their request on demand, i.e. it prints the desired image within a short time, preferably in the range of tens of seconds.
An image data processing apparatus comprises output means for outputting an image data for each pixel and compression means for compressing the image data supplied from the output means to an image data of a predetermined number of bits. The compression means compresses the image data in accordance with a dot pattern having a predetermined number of tone levels.
An image data processing apparatus comprises output means for outputting an image data for each pixel and compression means for compressing the image data supplied from the output means to an image data of a predetermined number of bits. The compression means compresses the image data in accordance with a dot pattern having a predetermined number of tone levels.
