A trial mode in which the number of trials is limited can be set for a network printer function and a network scanner function of an image forming apparatus. Then, the use of one of the network printer function and network scanner function of the image forming apparatus for which the trial mode has been set is permitted in accordance with a use request from a user.

A complicated operation using a graphics application is necessary in order to create a cover attached to an album. Accordingly, when a cover image to be attached to an output object that includes a digital image is generated, metadata that has been associated with the digital image to be output is read in and the cover image is generating by making selective use of a cover template related to the metadata that has been read in.

Disclosed is a method for processing graphic data in a laser printer capable of improving an effect of processing the graphic data, in which the graphic data are processed even though post-processing of the graphic data is not completed while pre-processing of the graphic data is performed. The method according to the present invention includes the steps of: processing low level graphic data which are inputted from a host computer to a laser printer to generate graphic elements; and generating a...

A method of predicting and processing image fine structures which, by simulating the interference-generated image fine structures with a continuous-tone printer or a display, enables the image fine structures to be predicted as faithfully as can be achieved by high quality machines without sacrificing the advantages of the continuous-tone printer or display (i.e., convenience in handling and the low costs of materials and machine), thus ensuring that moire, line discontinuities, imperfections in...

An image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of reducing a waste of papers, and confirming contents of a plurality of copies of images, when outputting the copies of images. The image forming apparatus has: a one-sheet output mode instructing section for instructing a one-sheet output mode for outputting one copy of images as a confirmation for every sheet, when outputting a plurality of copies of images formed on the basis of inputted image data; and a one-sheet output control...

One of printers linked with each other by way of a network is selected according to a printing condition for a given printing job. System information on whether the selected printer makes print in a plate printing system or in a non-plate printing system is obtained. The given printing job is output to the selected printer so that the selected printer makes copies by page when the selected printer makes print in a plate printing system.

In a printing service system for providing a service only to authenticated users by receiving authentication information from the users, authentication information issued by a service provider other than a provider of the printing service can be used. When a user who has not registered with the printing service system but has registered with a collaborating service provider uses the printing service, authentication information issued by the collaborating service provider is input from a personal...

An HDD unit (12) holds a print object. A controller (11) issues to a printer unit (13) a print command of acquiring and printing the print object stored in the HDD unit (12), and has the printer unit (13) receive data in which link path information to a file to be printed is described via a connection established between the HDD unit (12) and the printer unit (13). The printer unit (13) captures and prints the print object stored in the HDD unit (12) by requesting the HDD unit (12) to send the p...

A printer driver uses filters that are operating system-independent and printer-independent. Print requests and corresponding print data are received by the printer driver and converted into an internal representation that is both operating system-independent and printer-independent. The data to be printed is then passed through a print pipeline where one or more of a plurality of print filters are applied to the data. As a final stage in the print pipeline, the data is converted to a printer-de...

A controller for controlling printing on both surfaces of a sheet of print media includes a first print controller for controlling printing by a page width printhead of a first print engine and a second print controller for controlling printing by a page with printhead of a second print engine substantially simultaneously with the printing by the printhead of the first print engine. A first communications link interconnects the first print controller and the second print controller for synchroni...